Madden Teaser: Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale Go Completely Unrecognisable In NFL Biopic

Nicolas Cage undergoes a dramatic transformation to portray legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden in the first teaser of Madden, released by Prime Video on Thursday, December 25. The biopic traces Madden’s extraordinary journey from the sidelines of professional football to becoming one of the most influential voices and brands in sports history.

Cage, 60, is nearly unrecognisable as the Super Bowl–winning Oakland Raiders head coach, capturing Madden across different phases of his life and career. The film also stars Christian Bale, 51, who disappears into the role of late Raiders owner Al Davis, one of the most formidable and unconventional figures in NFL history. The teaser offers brief but striking glimpses of both actors, instantly

drawing attention to their physical transformations.

According to the official synopsis, Madden “follows Madden’s remarkable journey — from his Super Bowl-winning partnership with Al Davis and the Raiders, to creating Madden NFL, and becoming one of the most iconic voices in football history.” The film explores how Madden’s impact went far beyond the field, shaping how fans experience the sport through broadcasting and video games.

The ensemble cast also includes John Mulaney, Kathryn Hahn, Sienna Miller and Shane Gillis, adding depth to the story of Madden’s personal and professional life. David O. Russell has written and directed the project, working from a script initially drafted by Cambron Clark. Known for films such as The Fighter, American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook, Russell returns to filmmaking after 2022’s Amsterdam, which also featured Bale.

A Tribute to a Football Legend

Madden passed away in December 2021 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that spanned over five decades in and around the NFL. He began his career as a professional player in 1959 before transitioning into coaching in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Madden cemented his reputation as one of the greatest head coaches in league history with the Raiders. He later became a fixture on football broadcasts until 2009 and lent his name and voice to the wildly successful Madden NFL video game franchise.

Director David O. Russell previously praised Cage’s casting, saying, “Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will portray the best of the American spirit of originality, fun and determination in which anything is possible as beloved national legend John Madden.” He added, “Together with the ferocious style, focus and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the feature will be about the joy, humanity and genius that was John Madden in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s.”

Madden is slated for a theatrical release on Thanksgiving 2026.