Released by Amazon MGM Studios on Christmas Day, the teaser gives audiences their first clear look at Nicolas Cage as legendary football coach and broadcaster John Madden. Cage looks almost unrecognizable, fully transformed into the larger-than-life NFL icon who helped change both professional football and video games forever.
The film follows Madden’s rise from modest beginnings to becoming head coach of the Oakland Raiders, leading the team to a Super Bowl victory in 1976. From there, the story expands into his second act as a beloved TV commentator and, eventually, a cultural phenomenon through the hugely successful Madden NFL video game franchise.
According to earlier reporting by The Hollywood Reporter, the movie leans heavily into the origin story of the Madden NFL games, showing how Madden’s name became one of the most powerful brands in gaming history.
Joining Cage is Christian Bale, who plays Raiders owner Al Davis. Known for his intense physical transformations, Bale appears to have once again fully committed to capturing the personality and presence of his real-life counterpart.
The movie is written and directed by David O. Russell, whose past work includes The Fighter, American Hustle, and Silver Linings Playbook. An earlier version of the script was written by Cambron Clark.
The supporting cast is stacked with familiar faces. John Mulaney plays Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, while Kathryn Hahn portrays Virginia Madden. Sienna Miller appears as Carol Davis, and comedian Shane Gillis has been cast in an undisclosed role.
Madden appears to be a Prime Video original, though it’s still unclear whether the film will also receive a theatrical release. What is confirmed is the timing: the teaser reveals the movie is set to premiere on Thanksgiving 2026.
If the first footage is any indication, Madden aims to be more than just a sports biopic — it looks like a celebration of a man whose influence stretched from the sidelines to the living room, and into gaming history.
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