Legendary NFL announcer and Super Bowl winning coach John Madden will take on the role next up the line of Nicolas Cage.
Cage has been cast as Madden in the upcoming biopic being produced by Amazon-MGM Studios, the film’s director, David O. Russell, announced in a statement Thursday.
“As national legend and beloved John Madden, Nicolas Cage, one of our nation’s greatest and most original actors, will epitomize the American spirit of ingenuity, fun and determination that anything is possible,” Russell said in a statement.
“Alongside the ferocious style, focus and incredible individualism of underdog Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, the film will portray the joy, humanity and genius of John Madden in the wildly creative and cool world of the 1970s.”
Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden speaks about former quarterback Ken Stabler (back) during a ceremony honoring Stabler during halftime of the Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals game on September 13, 2015 in Oakland, California. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Cage will take over the role nearly three years after Madden passed away at the age of 85. A release date for the film has yet to be announced.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will focus on the origins of Madden’s NFL video game series, Madden NFL. The video game series, developed and published by EA Sports and launched in 1988, is arguably the pinnacle of the Madden portfolio.
The video game series is one of the most profitable and best-selling digital entertainment franchises of all time. The dominance of this product is directly tied to the exclusive licensing agreement EA signed with the NFL in 2005, making it the only video game to feature official NFL teams and players.
Last year marked the 24th consecutive year that the latest installment in the Madden series debuted as the best-selling game of the year, according to the NPD Group’s monthly sales report.
Former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden congratulates Pro Football Hall of Fame members during a press conference in Detroit on February 4, 2006. (Reuters/Mike Casse)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Cage’s casting comes amid rumors that other big name actors were being considered for the role. Will Ferrell was one of the actors previously rumored to be in the running to play Madden in Russell’s film, after which Hugh Jackman was rumored to be in the running to play the role.
According to Deadline, another competing project focusing on Madden’s career outside of the video game series is also in development: a limited TV series directed by Gavin O’Connor and reportedly involving Tom Brady’s production company.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverageSubscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
