By now, we've become accustomed to Christian Bale's jaw-dropping physical transformations for a movie role. Or at least a cosmetic one, with the English actor admitting that the years of losing and gaining hundreds of pounds have taken their toll. But for the upcoming biopic Madden, in which Bale plays fiery Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, he spent hours in the makeup chair with fellow actor Nicole Cage, who channeled the coaching and broadcasting legend John Madden.
The first official teaser, released on Christmas, shows the extent of the actors' transformations. Bale's hairline is in full retreat as he embodies Davis, while Cage is carrying extra weight to play the portly Madden, whose appetite for winning and love of football was only rivaled by his love of food and drink. And rest assured, if the teaser is any indication, Cage has embraced the role with gusto.
The film, fittingly set to be released next Thanksgiving (in honor of the man who did so much for the turducken), reunites Bale with American Hustle director David O. Russell, who also directed Bale's Oscar-winning turn in The Fighter. When Amazon MGM Studios announced the project in 2023, they stated that the film would focus on Madden's "Super Bowl-winning partnership with fellow coach Al Davis and the Raiders, to creating Madden NFL, and becoming one of the most iconic voices in football history."
Madden, who coached the Raiders to a championship in 1977 before moving to his equally memorable chapter in the broadcasting booth, passed away in 2021 at the age of 85. Davis died in 2011 at 82. His son Mark Davis remains the controlling owner of the now Las Vegas-based Raiders, who last won the Super Bowl in 1984. Tom Brady owns a minority stake in the team.
Madden also stars Kathryn Hahn as John's wife Virginia Madden, Sienna Miller as Al's wife Carol Davis, and John Mulaney as Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, who had the foresight to sign the iconic football announcer, a collaboration that resulted in a certain little video game franchise.
