Nicolas Cage divides fans with first look at drastic transformation: ‘Great or awful’

Fans were treated to a first look at the upcoming John Madden biopic, titled Madden.

The film’s very first teaser trailer dropped on September 24, which you can watch below…

The John Madden biopic

Nicolas Cage plays the titular Madden, opposite Christian Bale as Al Davis. Also in the cast are Kathryn Hahn, Sienna Miller, John Mulaney and Joel Murray.

The trailer definitely divided fan opinion, however, with some throwing in their own suggestions for the John Madden casting, while others had thoughts on Nicolas’ transformation for the role.

Fan reactions to the first Madden trailer

“Nic Cage as John Madden and Christian Bale as Al Davis. That’s awesome,” one enthused, with another saying: “Every football fan who worshiped Madden will see this movie. And the fact they got Nick Cage to channel John’s presence makes it all the sweeter,” and a third gushing: “I can’t wait for this, it looks like so much fun.”

On the other hand, another viewer responded: “Sorry but he just looks like nicolas cage in a fat suit and it just sounds like himself doing a bad impression…im sure the movie will be great but could’ve done better casting john,” with one also saying: “This looks so unserious.” One summarized it as: “Either gonna be great or awful, either way I’m excited to watch.”

What is Madden about?

Per Prime Video, an official logline for the film reads: “Inspired by the life of a beloved American icon, MADDEN chronicles John Madden’s incredible journey alongside best friend and true original Al Davis – from a Super Bowl-winning partnership with the Raiders, to becoming football’s most recognizable voice, to building the worldwide Madden NFL video game.”

© Chuck Zlotnick/Prime

“MADDEN is the celebration of a brilliant mind whose once in a century spirit and personality, partnership with his daring wife Virginia, lifelong friendships, and infectious love of people and football transcended the world of sports.”

The sports biographical drama, directed by Oscar nominee David O. Russell, is set for a November 18 release on Prime Video.

Nicolas Cage’s transformation for the role

For the role, the Academy Award-winning actor underwent an extensive transformation, relying on a body fat suit and prosthetics, while also juggling his filming schedule with work on the Spider-Noir TV series.

© Chuck Zlotnick/Prime

“It was a bit of a learning curve and a fast cut,” he told Deadline of transitioning from one role to the other. “When you do a season of television, it’s equivalent to making four movies back-to-back. It’s a lot.”

“So, I was talking like an old-world film noir actor for a long time and then suddenly David O. Russell is inviting me to play this famous football coach, who was also a TV personality, who had a very specific way of talking, nothing like a film noir actor. And frankly, nothing like me,” he continued.

“I have nothing in common with John Madden, and that was the challenge,” Nicolas added. “But when we rehearsed, David tried to help me find the voice and I said to him, ‘It may not be anatomically possible, OK?'”

© Chuck Zlotnick/Prime

“So, I figured that maybe we’d just make a cocktail of the John Madden sound with a little of this and that and we’ll reintroduce something of my version of his voice.”