Amazon MGM Studios has gone all-out in their upcoming biographical sports film on the legendary John Madden. In a new trailer, fans got their first look at Nicolas Cage as Madden and Christian Bale as former Raiders owner Al Davis.
After the 30-second trailer dropped, fans started gushing over Bale’s performance as Davis. Bale, who has starred in such legendary films as the Dark Knight trilogy, American Psycho, Ford v Ferrari and The Fighter, is well-regarded for his transformative appearances in the roles he takes on and this one is no different.
“Christian Bale as the late Raiders owner Al Davis is cinema,” Yahoo Sports declared in their first comments on the trailer.
“Christian Bale gonna take a few awards for playing Al Davis,” another user predicted.
“John Madden would be proud and honored of his portrayal of himself. Nick Cage looks great as Madden Christian Bale has that Al Davis energy you can feel it through the screen. I know what I am watching next Thanksgiving!” a third declared.
Madden (2026)
Directed by David O. Russell, who has been nominated for three Academy Awards and has done extensive work with sports films and biographical films, Madden reportedly chronicles the life of John Madden and his development in the famous Madden NFL video game series.
The trailer shows the late Raiders owner gushing over Madden’s football greatness and importance to the game and shows a few moments of the football legend doing his famous whiteboard work.
Back in 1967, Davis hired Madden to serve as the Raiders’ linebackers coach under then-head coach John Rauch in the old AFL. When Rauch resigned following the 1968 season, Davis made the controversial decision to promote a 32-year-old Madden to head coach. He was one of the youngest head coaches in pro football history at the time of his hiring and wound up becoming one of its most successful.
Football: Oakland Raiders coach John Madden on sidelines with John Matuszak (72) and John Vella (75) during game vs New England Patriots at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Oakland, CA 12/18/1976Peter Read Miller/Getty Images
In 10 seasons as head coach of the Raiders, Madden only had winning seasons. He took the Raiders to the playoffs eight times, won at least one playoff game and reached the AFC/AFL Championship seven times, and reached the top of the mountain with a Super Bowl win in 1977.
Madden became a football cultural icon throughout the 80s and 90s with his broadcasting career alongside fellow legend Pat Summerall. But he will forever have name recognition transcending the game itself through the Madden NFL franchise that bears his name.
The film is set to release on November 26, 2026 – Thanksgiving.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.