Nicolas Cage gained weight for Madden biopic

The film industry continues to adapt sports narratives for the screen, with a new biopic set to hit theaters this week. Nicolas Cage has entered production for Madden, a project that pairs his performance with a high-profile streaming release.

Cage, 62, stars as John Madden, the former Oakland Raiders coach who became a prominent broadcaster and the namesake of a major video game franchise. To assume the role, the actor gained 25 pounds and utilized prosthetic makeup. The film is directed by David O. Russell and features Michael Strahan as an executive producer.

Christian Bale plays Raiders owner Al Davis in the movie. Cage noted that the pair developed a natural chemistry that allowed for improvisation during filming. He cited a Bill Murray sketch from Saturday Night Live as a source of inspiration for his lines while working with Bale. The actors also differed in their preparation methods within the makeup trailer, with Cage preferring isolation to focus on emotion while Bale listened to punk rock music.

Cage drew a personal parallel between his character and his late father, August Coppola, a professor of comparative literature. He stated that he values teachers who strive to empower and guide others, a quality he observed in Madden. "What I really appreciated about John Madden is that he’s a teacher," Cage said. "My father was a professor of comparative literature and I really cherish teachers."

Outside of the studio, Cage discussed his current living situation in Malibu. His home is temporarily displaced due to a sinkhole in the driveway. He described his state of mind as content and expressed gratitude for his relationship with his daughter. "I’m fine. I’m very happy … I’m not complaining," he said. "I am someone that is very thankful and I feel blessed that I have my daughter and we have a wonderful relationship."

Madden opens in select theaters on Nov. 11. The film will become available on Prime Video on Nov. 18.