“I like to see a fats man rating.”
Why’s that, John?
“As a result of first you get a fats man spike, and you then get the fats man dance!”
John Madden was a soccer participant, an excellent soccer coach, and a fair larger soccer announcer, however what’s been underrated was John Madden’s capacity to play himself. The strains above from his position in soccer flick The Replacements starring Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, and a somehow-constantly-foaming-at-the-mouth Jon Favreau have lived rent-free in my head for not less than 20 years. Even when he was studying another person’s script, all the things John Madden mentioned simply got here out like a John Madden line, a trait he shares with Nicolas Cage—I am unable to think about extra thrilling casting for a John Madden biopic.
Introduced at present, Cage might be enjoying the late announcer in a a movie that’s not less than partially “the origin story of Madden NFL, one of many greatest videogame franchises of all time,” in line with The Hollywood Reporter. Actually, I believe it might work. The same old sports activities biopic is all concerning the glory, and I actually do not assume we want two hours of teenagers/twenties/thirties Madden turning into the Grasp of Soccer earlier than a remaining scene the place he dramatically dons a headset and steps into the announcer’s sales space—lower to black over the roar of the group. On the similar time, a complete movie devoted to the making of the videogame can be as eyeroll-worthy as final yr’s flick about Air Jordans. Possibly assembly within the center will end in one thing that is not completely standard and never a pure Ode to Model.
No matter form of script we’re , I anticipate Cage will harness some true Large Canine power right here. He is the form of actor who is aware of higher than to attempt an ideal impression; he will give you some wild tackle Madden’s voice and an embodiment of Madden’s outsized persona that feels proper, whether or not or not it is “correct.” Cage can be superb at enjoying himself, and has performed it twice lately—in his movie The Insufferable Weight of Large Expertise, and in Lifeless By Daylight, the place he promised “once you’re enjoying the Nic Cage survivor, I would like you to know that we’re one, that we’re fused.”
I am positive he’ll be bringing the identical dedication to a scene wherein he teaches a bunch of laptop nerds tips on how to make a soccer deal with really feel real on an Apple II. When he lets unfastened a shock BOOM! they’re going to all do some bounce. It will not be within the script; he’ll simply really feel it.
I do want another person was directing this film for Cage aside from David O. Russell, who’s been accused of some fairly gross stuff and dangerous habits on film units through the years. Simply days in the past George Clooney referred to as Russell “a depressing fuck” unprompted throughout an interview, so he is clearly nonetheless bitter over the film they made collectively 25 years in the past. Not likely the great vibes I might hope for from a Madden movie, to be trustworthy.
“Nicolas Cage, certainly one of our biggest and most authentic actors, will painting one of the best of the American spirit of originality, enjoyable, and dedication wherein something is feasible as beloved nationwide legend John Madden,” Russell mentioned in a casting announcement concerning the movie. “Along with the ferocious type, focus, and impressed individualism of Al Davis, proprietor of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the function might be concerning the pleasure, humanity and genius that was John Madden in a wildly creative, cool world of the Nineteen Seventies.”
No phrase on when to anticipate the movie, however I might wager someday later subsequent yr.
