This time around, Nicolas Cage will be playing the national treasure.
The famous actor will play the late football coach and TV commentator John Madden in an upcoming biopic, the film’s director, David O. Russell, said in a statement Thursday.
The news comes nearly three years after the Super Bowl-winning coach passed away at age 85.
“As national legend and beloved John Madden, Nicolas Cage, one of our nation’s greatest and most original actors, will capture the best of the American spirit: 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.”
The film has yet to be cast apart from Cage, but will feature Will Ferrell. Rumor has it Play the leading role.
Cage, star of “Face/Off” and “Con Air,” isn’t known for starring in sports movies, but he does have a number of action films on his film resume.
The Amazon-MGM drama was written by Russell. Oscar-nominated director According to multiple reports, the film will be produced by Eric Brown, producer of films such as The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook, with his partners from Escape Artist co-producing the film.
Among the Escape Artists partners involved in the film is Giants chairman, co-owner and executive vice president Steve Tisch.
Tisch has a long list of accomplishments as a producer, having won Best Picture for “Forrest Gump” in 1994. First person to win both a Super Bowl ring and an Oscar.
The release date for the film has yet to be announced.
