Cinema

Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale are unrecognizable in first trailer for John Madden biopic

Prime Video unveils an early look at Madden, the film tracing the NFL legend’s journey from Super Bowl coach to video game icon.

Pedro Herrero

Update: Dec 26th, 2025 08:22 EST

It is hard to recognize Nicolas Cage and Christian Bale in the first trailer for “Madden,” the upcoming biopic about one of the most influential figures in NFL history.

The film, which chronicles the life and legacy of John Madden, is set to arrive in theaters in late 2026 before landing on Prime Video. A first trailer has now been released, offering an early glimpse at a transformation-heavy project centered on a man who became a legend not just in football, but in American pop culture.

John Madden’s iconic status

Very few figures can claim iconic status in both professional sports and video games. John Madden is one of them.

Madden spent nearly a decade as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, leading the franchise to a Super Bowl victory in the 1976 season. After stepping away from the sidelines, he reinvented himself as one of the most recognizable and beloved television analysts in NFL history, becoming a defining voice of football for generations of fans.

In 1988, his influence expanded even further when he lent his name and expertise to what would become the longest-running sports video game franchise ever. Nearly four decades later, Madden remains a cultural institution, spanning coaching, broadcasting and gaming.

That larger-than-life story is the foundation of “Madden,” a film aiming to capture every major chapter of his career.

Cage and Bale headline Madden biopic

The casting alone has drawn widespread attention. Nicolas Cage plays John Madden, undergoing a dramatic physical transformation to portray the legendary coach. Christian Bale stars opposite him as Al Davis, the Raiders’ famously unconventional owner and one of the most powerful personalities in NFL history.

According to the trailer, the film does not shy away from the many sides of Madden’s life, from his coaching triumphs and championship success to his broadcasting stardom and pivotal role in shaping a video game empire.

New look at Nicolas Cage as John Madden in David O’Russell’s ‘MADDEN’ movie. pic.twitter.com/87BUqxlObT
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 26, 2025

Strong supporting cast revealed

The supporting cast includes John Mulaney as Trip Hawkins, the founder of Electronic Arts and the driving force behind the Madden NFL video game series. Kathryn Hahn plays Virginia Madden, John Madden’s wife, while Sienna Miller portrays Carol Davis.

Behind the camera is director David O. Russell, known for films such as “The Fighter” and “American Hustle”. His involvement suggests a character-driven approach focused as much on personality and relationships as on football itself.

When will “Madden” be released?

“Madden” is scheduled to be released in U.S. theaters on Nov. 26, 2026, aligning with Thanksgiving Day, one of the most important dates on the NFL calendar.