Nicholas Cage appeared quite different as he was seen in a fat suit while filming the upcoming sports biopic, *Madden*. The actor, who is taking on the role of former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden, was spotted on Monday in Atlanta, dressed in a blue tracksuit with white sneakers and sporting long hair.
Cage, 61, is acting alongside John Mulany and businessman and Electronic Arts founder Travel Hawkins, with Christian Bale portraying Al Davis, the long-time owner of the Raiders.
However, the production has faced some challenges. Reports indicate that one actor left the project after director David O. Russell allegedly used a racial slur during rehearsals. According to TMZ, this actor departed just two weeks into filming.
Sources revealed that several cast members claimed Russell, 66, made the offensive remark while working on a monologue. Insiders from Amazon Studios suggested that the use of the slur in the script originated from the actor’s idea, but that the screenwriter also employed the term outside of filming. It seems the departure was partly influenced by a nude scene in the script as well.
Additionally, Cage had expressed discomfort to Russell regarding a locker room scene where he was required to be nude. Reportedly, the director’s response was seen as “unprofessional.” Although an intimacy coordinator tried to assist, Cage still felt uneasy. Allegedly, Russell ended up telling Cage that he didn’t need him on set any longer.
Despite the tensions, there were hints that discussions might allow for the actor’s return to the film. Meanwhile, Russell has not commented on these events. The director has a history of controversies; for instance, George Clooney previously recounted an incident from the set of the 1999 film *Three Kings*, depicting Russell in a difficult light.
