David O. Russell’s Madden Film Adds John Mulaney, Kathryn Hahn, and Sienna Miller to the Cast
According to a report from World of Reel, production on David O. Russell’s highly anticipated film, "Madden", is set to begin next month in Atlanta. The film, which has faced multiple cancellation attempts in the past, boasts an impressive cast, including Christian Bale as former Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis and Nicolas Cage as football icon John Madden.
World of Reel has learned that "Madden" will feature another sprawling ensemble cast, a specialty of Russell’s for the better part of 25 years. The trade reports that John Mulaney, Kathryn Hahn, and Sienna Miller will be added to the cast, joining Bale and Cage. Amazon/MGM is behind "Madden", which Russell is writing and directing. The original script, written by Cambron Clark, has been part of the Blacklist for a few years now. Russell is said to have "tweaked" the script to his own liking, and has since taken on the main screenwriting credit.
Interestingly, Cage is the third actor to be attached to portray the football icon, with both Will Ferrell and Hugh Jackman previously dropping out. World of Reel notes that "Madden" will not be a traditional sports biopic. Instead, the film is being described as a "video game movie", focusing on the origin story of MADDEN NFL, one of the biggest video game franchises of all time. The film will recount the rivalry between Madden and ex-footballer Joe Montana, in a race against time to develop the ultimate football video game.
Russell’s film is expected to explore the former coach’s exit from the league and subsequent partnership with EA Sports to create the pioneering "Madden NFL" video game franchise. Despite his last film, 2022’s "Amsterdam", being savaged by critics and losing over $100 million, Russell’s brand of filmmaking still seems to be in demand. The director has a reputation for delivering critically acclaimed fare, with films such as "Silver Linings Playbook", "The Fighter", "Three Kings", "Flirting with Disaster", and "American Hustle" cementing his former A-list status.
World of Reel suggests that Russell’s past behavior has led to him being a "marked man" in some circles of the film community. However, it appears that he is still able to attract top talent to his projects. As previously reported by World of Reel, Russell had a history of controversy, including an incident in which he punched a Sony executive at an Oscar party.
The addition of Mulaney, Hahn, and Miller to the cast of "Madden" is significant, as it further solidifies Russell’s reputation for assembling talented ensemble casts. With production set to begin next month, fans of the director and the world of football are eagerly anticipating the release of this unique and intriguing film. As World of Reel notes, "it seems as though there is still some oxygen left in Russell’s brand of filmmaking", and "Madden" is sure to be a highly anticipated and closely watched project.
The film’s focus on the origin story of MADDEN NFL also raises interesting questions about the intersection of sports, gaming, and cinema. As one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, the story of MADDEN NFL is sure to captivate audiences and provide a unique perspective on the world of football. With Russell at the helm and a talented cast on board, "Madden" is shaping up to be a must-see film for fans of sports, gaming, and cinema alike.
