Will Ferrell is reportedly in talks to play NFL character John Madden in the upcoming Madden movie. Citing numerous unnamed sources, Deadline reports that the project will be directed by five-time Academy Award nominee David O. Russell (“American Hustle,” “The Silver Lining”), as well as a collaboration between Amazon and MGM.
While Amazon declined to comment on the news, the Madden concept has reportedly been in development for some time. Based on a screenplay by Blacklisted Cambron Clarke, Russell worked on revisions until the project was put on hold due to a writers’ strike.
Classified as a Prime Video Sports Original, Madden aims to explore the life of the charismatic Madden, a standout figure in the NFL. Madden’s ambition was to become a head coach, and he found great success in that role. However, the demands of the job eventually got to him, forcing him to retire from coaching.
The film will focus on Madden’s friendship with Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders, and how Madden found a new path that brought him even more recognition. Despite his lack of personal experience with video games, Madden played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the gaming industry as a fixture in the popular Madden NFL franchise, which has consistently been the best-selling game by Electronic Arts.
Created by Escape Artists with Todd Black, Jonathan Shukat and Jason Blumenthal, Madden has high hopes of capturing the essence of one of the NFL’s most beloved figures. Notably, Steve Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, is also among the film’s producers.
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