Legendary NFL broadcaster and Super Bowl-winning coach John Madden will be cast next in Nicolas Cage's role.
Cage has been cast to play Madden in an upcoming Amazon MGM Studios biopic, the film's director, David O. Russell, said in a statement Thursday.
“Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will portray the best of the American spirit of originality, fun and determination where anything is possible as beloved national legend John Madden,” Russell said in a statement.
“Along with the fierce style, focus and inspired individualism of Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, the feature film will be about the joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in the incredibly inventive and cool world of the 1970s.”
Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden talks about former quarterback Ken Stabler, pictured back, at a ceremony honoring Stabler during halftime of a game between the Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals in Oakland, California, on September 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
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Cage will take on the role nearly three years after Madden died at the age of 85. A release date for the film has not yet been announced.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will focus on the origins of Madden's NFL video game franchise, “Madden NFL.” The video game series, which began in 1988 and was developed and published by EA Sports, was arguably the crown jewel of Madden's portfolio.
The video game series is one of the most profitable and best-selling digital entertainment franchises in history. The product's dominance is directly related to an exclusive licensing agreement EA signed with the NFL in 2005, making it the only video game that can use official NFL teams and players.
Last year marked the 24th consecutive year that the latest installment of Madden debuted as one of the best-selling games, according to The NPD Group's monthly sales report.
Former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden celebrates after being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame at a news conference in Detroit on February 4, 2006. (Reuters/Mike Cassese)
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Cage's casting comes amid a flurry of rumors about other star actors being considered. Will Ferrell was among the actors previously rumored to play Madden in Russell's film. Hugh Jackman was later rumored to be playing Madden.
According to Deadline, another project competing with Madden outside of the video game series is also in development. It's a TV miniseries directed by Gavin O'Connor and reportedly involving Tom Brady's production company.
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