The first teaser for the upcoming football biopic Madden just dropped, and if you’re an NFL fan, it’s the kind of 40 seconds that immediately grabs your attention and refuses to let go.
Released by Amazon MGM Studios on Christmas Day, the teaser gives fans their first real look at the story of legendary coach and broadcaster John Madden — a man whose fingerprints are all over the modern NFL.
And the biggest shock? Seeing Nicolas Cage completely transformed into Madden.
From the quick flashes we get, Cage looks eerily convincing as the Hall of Fame coach, capturing the larger-than-life presence that made Madden a sideline icon and later a broadcasting legend. Opposite him is Christian Bale as former Raiders owner Al Davis, and if the teaser is any indication, the dynamic between the two could end up being one of the film’s biggest strengths.
The movie promises to follow Madden’s journey from Super Bowl-winning coach with the Oakland Raiders to trailblazing broadcaster and the face behind one of the most successful sports video game franchises ever created. For a generation of fans, Madden wasn’t just a coach — he was the voice of football on Sundays and the name on the cover of a game that helped shape how people experience the sport.
The supporting cast is stacked, with John Mulaney, Kathryn Hahn, Sienna Miller, and Shane Gillis all joining the project. Behind the camera is director David O. Russell, known for character-driven hits like The Fighter, American Hustle, and Silver Linings Playbook. His track record suggests this won’t just be a standard sports biopic, but a deeper look at the personality and drive that made Madden a household name.
Madden’s real-life résumé reads like a Hollywood script on its own. During his decade as head coach of the Raiders, he reached seven AFC title games and won the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. His .759 winning percentage remains the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games. After stepping away from coaching, he became the premier television analyst of his era, winning 16 Emmy Awards and calling 11 Super Bowls across four networks.
The film is slated for release on Thanksgiving 2026, and if the teaser is any hint, it’s shaping up to be one of the must-see sports movies of the year. For football fans who grew up hearing Madden break down plays or button-mashing their way through countless games bearing his name, this biopic feels less like a movie and more like a celebration of a figure who helped define the sport for decades.
If the full film delivers on the energy and nostalgia packed into that first teaser, “Madden” could end up being as memorable as the legend it’s honoring.
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