A new biographical movie about NFL legend John Madden is in the works. It is being produced by Amazon MGM Studios, with director David O. Russell (known for American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook) at the helm. The film will cover Madden’s football career and later work on the Madden NFL video game series. Production began in Atlanta in spring 2025.
Production and Release Date of Madden Movie
Madden movie release date
No official release date has been announced yet. Filming began on April 24, 2025 in Atlanta, so the movie will likely come out in 2026. Fans often ask “when is the John Madden movie coming out,” but the studio has not set a date.
Story focus
The film will focus on Madden coaching the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s and leading them to a Super Bowl win. According to Amazon’s production notes, after that Super Bowl victory “the stress of the job began to destroy him,” and the movie will show how his friendship with Raiders owner Al Davis helped him find “a second act” in TV broadcasting and video games. It will also highlight Madden’s role in creating the Madden NFL video game franchise.
Production status
As of early 2025 the film is in active production. On-set photos show Nicolas Cage as John Madden wearing a big fat suit to match Madden’s larger physique. (Madden was well known for his heavy build, so Cage’s transformation involved makeup and a suit rather than just weight gain.) The film is being shot at Shadowbox Studios in Atlanta, and the first behind-the-scenes images of Cage as Madden – standing on a football field with co-star Christian Bale – have been released.
The first look image from the Madden movie shows Nicolas Cage (left) as John Madden and Christian Bale (right) as Raiders owner Al Davis, each holding up a Super Bowl ring. In the photo, Cage’s transformation (with a fat suit and makeup) makes him look very different from his usual self.
John Madden Movie Cast
- Nicolas Cage as John Madden. Cage was confirmed in August 2024 to play Madden. This is his first time playing a real sports figure (he previously played himself in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent).
- Christian Bale as Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders owner. He joined the cast by spring 2025.
- John Mulaney as Trip Hawkins, the founder of Electronic Arts. The comedian will play the video game developer who partnered with Madden.
- Kathryn Hahn as Virginia Madden (John Madden’s wife).
- Sienna Miller as Carol Davis (Al Davis’s wife).
According to reports, these are the confirmed cast members. An article on Polygon lists the John Madden movie cast as including Cage, Bale, Mulaney, Hahn, and Miller. News outlets say the cast “will also star” these actors in Madden (the film’s title).
Casting notes: Before Cage was cast, director Russell had said that comedian Will Ferrell would have been “best suited” to play Madden. (Indeed, Ferrell was in early talks to star, but he ultimately did not take the role.) There have also been online rumors about an actor named Bobby Coleman being involved in the project.
However, no credible news source lists anyone by that name in the Madden cast. The reliable reports (above) mention only Cage, Bale, Mulaney, Hahn, and Miller.
Nicolas Cage as John Madden
Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of John Madden involves a big physical transformation. In set photos he is seen wearing a large padded suit and prosthetic makeup to mimic Madden’s heavy build. This has led some fans to mention Nicolas Cage weight gain for John Madden movie, but in reality Cage’s look comes from the costume (“fat suit”) and not necessarily real weight change.
Director Russell noted that Madden was “larger-than-life” and “made football fun to watch,” so the movie will show how a “genius” who was “like the Picasso of football” saw the world. Cage’s role is often described as the starring role of the new John Madden movie.
John Madden Movie Trailer
No official trailer or clip has been released yet. The film is still being shot and edited, so there is not yet a Madden movie trailer or John Madden movie trailer. (Fans will have to wait for a teaser or trailer once post-production is further along.)
When Is the John Madden Movie Coming Out?
As of now, there is no official release date for the upcoming John Madden biopic titled Madden. However, filming began in April 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia, under the direction of David O. Russell. Given the typical timeline for film production and post-production, it’s anticipated that the movie will be released sometime in 2026.
The film stars Nicolas Cage as John Madden and Christian Bale as Al Davis, Madden’s longtime friend and owner of the Oakland Raiders. The story will chronicle Madden’s journey from his coaching career with the Raiders, through his broadcasting legacy, to becoming the face of EA Sports’ Madden NFL franchise.
While fans eagerly await more details, including a trailer and exact release date, the first look at the film has already generated significant buzz, showcasing the dramatic transformations of its lead actors.
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Nicolas Cage Weight Gain for John Madden Movie
Nicolas Cage did not gain real weight for the John Madden movie. Instead, he used a fat suit and makeup to look like John Madden.
Cage is playing Madden in the new movie titled “Madden,” which is still being filmed. In real life, John Madden had a big body shape, especially during his coaching years. To match that look, Nicolas Cage wears a padded body suit and special makeup. These help him appear larger on screen, without needing to actually gain weight.
Photos from the movie set show Cage in costume. He looks very different from usual, with gray hair, a heavy build, and football clothes. This big change in appearance made some people online ask about “Nicolas Cage weight gain for John Madden movie,” but all reports confirm it’s mostly costume work—not real weight gain.
Summary of Key Points
- New John Madden movie: An upcoming biopic about John Madden is in production. It’s an Amazon/MGM film directed by David O. Russell.
- Release date: Not announced. Filming started in April 2025, so likely a 2026 release, but “when is the John Madden movie coming out” remains unanswered.
- Production: Began in Atlanta (late April 2025). Story covers Madden’s Raiders Super Bowl and his work on the Madden NFL game.
- Cast: Nicolas Cage (Madden), Christian Bale (Al Davis), John Mulaney (Trip Hawkins), Kathryn Hahn (Virginia Madden), Sienna Miller (Carol Davis). No release date or trailer announced yet.
