Nicolas Cage Is Unrecognizable as NFL Legend John Madden in the Upcoming ‘Madden’

A new photo of Nicolas Cage on the set of Madden has fans doing a double-take, as the actor looks almost unrecognizable while portraying football legend John Madden.

The upcoming biographical sports drama is directed by David O. Russell, who also wrote the script based on an earlier version by Cambron Clark.

Nicolas Cage looks unrecognizable as John Madden in 'Madden' 🏈 pic.twitter.com/AdrLfbVYpi

— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) September 1, 2025

The film explores John Madden’s life, including his role in creating the Madden NFL video game series. Cage leads the cast as Madden, joined by Christian Bale as Al Davis, John Mulaney as Trip Hawkins, Kathryn Hahn as Virginia Madden, Sienna Miller as Carol Davis, and Shane Gillis.

The casting process initially included Will Ferrell in early talks to play Madden, as reported in May 2023. By August, Nicolas Cage was officially cast in the role. Over the following months, other key cast members were confirmed, with principal photography starting on April 24, 2025, in Atlanta.

Fans have reacted strongly to the recently released on-set photos of Cage. In the images, he fully embodies Madden, sporting the coach’s signature look and mannerisms.

Many are commenting on how much he has physically changed for the role, making him nearly unrecognizable compared to his usual appearance.

The production has not been without controversy. In May 2025, several crew members reportedly walked off the set after David O. Russell allegedly used a racial slur and attempted to include it in the script. The director also allegedly belittled cast and crew members who objected to the language, according to sources on set.

Despite the issues, the film continues to move forward. With a strong cast and an iconic subject in John Madden, expectations are high for both sports fans and moviegoers. The story promises to explore Madden’s influence on football and his unexpected role in shaping one of the most successful sports video game franchises of all time.

Nicolas Cage’s transformation into John Madden looks incredible, and it shows his commitment to fully stepping into a role. What do you think about Cage’s look and this project? Share your thoughts in the comments.