When it was announced that Nicolas Cage would be portraying John Madden in a biopic, some viewers were understandably baffled.
Cage, an Academy Award-winning actor, represented a major coup for Prime Video, who will carry the offering on its platform.
And yet, there was something eerie about Cage’s involvement. He’s a distinctive presence in the acting world. That wouldn’t seem to mesh well with Madden’s mannerisms and way of talking, attributes unlike few others in sports broadcasting history.
Prime Video released a teaser showing Cage at work as Madden on Wednesday. It didn’t particularly land well. Here’s what you need to know.
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‘Madden’ movie commentary
Prime Video released its first clip of Cage portraying Madden in the broadcast booth. The clip made the rounds on social media on Wednesday, much to the chagrin of football lovers, Madden enthusiasts and thespians around the world.
The video shows Cage, looking sort of like Madden if one squinted and turned their head, waxing lyrical about the gridiron. Cage — err, Madden — takes it upon himself to attempt to demonstrate what’s happening during a certain play call on his trusty plexiglass screen.
And football commentary was never the same. #MaddenMovie. November 18. pic.twitter.com/ywUVTnYtkf
— Prime Movies (@primemovies) October 27, 2026
Detractors noted that Cage didn’t really embody the essence of Madden in the clip. His cadence wasn’t all that similar to Madden; many social media users cited comedian Frank Caliendo as an ideal impersonator of the former Raiders coach.
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Nicolas Cage told the director of the new Madden movie that John Madden’s voice “may not be anatomically possible” for him to do. They went ahead and made the whole movie anyway.
The real John Madden once nearly let his own video game die over four missing players.
Back in… https://t.co/HJpcFGyjBx
— Aakash Gupta (@aakashgupta) October 28, 2026
Ultimately, Prime Video’s efforts to capture Madden in all his glory appear to have been in vain. There will be some who undoubtedly flock around a television screen to see Cage do his best Madden impression. Based on the latest clip Prime Video, his best isn’t all that noteworthy. Watch the film at your own discretion.
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