Nicolas Cage to Play John Madden in Big-Budget Biopic

Legendary NFL commentator and Super Bowl-winning coach John Madden will be Nicolas Cage’s next role.

Cage has been cast to play Madden in an upcoming Amazon MGM Studios biopic, the film’s director, David O. Russell, said in a statement Thursday.

“Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will embody the best of the American spirit of originality, fun and determination in which anything is possible, as beloved national legend John Madden,” Russell said in a statement.

“In addition to the fierce style, focus and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the feature will focus on the joy, humanity and genius of John Madden in a wildly inventive and cool world of the 1970s.”

Former Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden speaks about former quarterback Ken Stabler, pictured from the back, at a ceremony honoring Stabler during halftime of a game between the Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals in Oakland, California, on September 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, file)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Cage will reprise the role nearly three years after Madden’s death at age 85. A release date for the film has not yet been announced.

The film would focus on the origins of Madden’s NFL video game franchise, “Madden NFL,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. The video game series, which began in 1988 and was developed and published by EA Sports, was arguably the crown jewel of Madden’s portfolio.

The video game series is one of the most profitable and best-selling digital entertainment franchises in history. The product’s dominance is directly linked to an exclusive licensing agreement that EA signed with the NFL in 2005, making it the only video game that can use official NFL teams and players.

Last year marked the 24th consecutive year that the latest Madden installment debuted as a hit game, according to the NPD Group’s monthly sales report.

Former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden celebrates his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at a news conference in Detroit on February 4, 2006. (Reuters/Mike Cassese)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Cage’s choice comes amid widespread speculation that other A-list actors are being considered for the role. Will Ferrell was among the actors who were rumored to play Madden in Russell’s film. Hugh Jackman was also reportedly considered for the role.

Another competing project, centered on Madden’s career outside of the video game series, is also in development, according to Deadline. It’s a limited TV series directed by Gavin O’Connor, with Tom Brady’s production company among those involved.

Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures such as Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz, and Roger Clemens.