David O. Russell's ‘Madden' to Star Nicolas Cage

David O. Russell has no less than five projects in development at the moment. There’s that Linda Ronstadt biopic, with Selena Gomez, the Get Smart reboot, a FIFA limited series, the Sacha Baron Cohen led “Toys”, and “Madden” …

We just got a major update about “Madden” (via THR). Nicolas Cage is set to portray John Madden, the iconic football coach and sports commentator, with Amazon MGM Studios backing the project.

After years in development, Russell’s “Madden” finally looks to be happening. Cage is now the third actor whose been attached to portray Madden, both Will Ferrell and, more recently, Hugh Jackman had the lead role but eventually dropped out.

Also, don’t expect a token biopic. Russell’s film is not that. Madden is being described as a “video game movie.” It’s the origin story of MADDEN NFL, one of the biggest video game franchises of all time.

“Madden” will focus on the former coach’s exit from the league and subsequent partnership with EA Sports to make the pioneering “Madden NFL” video game franchise. The film will recount the rivalry between Madden and Joe Montana, the latter, his rival, in a race against time, was also developing his own video game

Back in April, I heard a fall shoot was scheduled for the film. I’m guessing that, given today’s news, things are now speeding up and that is still very much the plan.

The script for “Madden,” written by Cambron Clark, has been part of the Blacklist for a few years now. Russell is said to have tweaked the script to his own liking, and he now has the main screenwriting credit.

It seems as though there is still some prestige left in Russell’s brand of filmmaking as he’s constantly delivered critically acclaimed films over the course of his 30-year career, films such as “Silver Linings Playbook”, “The Fighter”, “Three Kings”, “Flirting with Disaster” and” American Hustle” cemented his A-list status.

Russell’s last effort was the ill-received “Amsterdam,” released in 2022, which lost 20th Century over $100 million. As you can see by the workload he currently has on his plate, and despite the controversies, he remains a filmmaker that studios still want to partner with.