Madden (D: David O. Russell) S: Will Ferrell
05-26-23, 04:42 PM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
Madden (D: David O. Russell) S: Will Ferrell
EXCLUSIVE: Will Ferrell is in huddling to star as the NFL’s John Madden in Madden, a theatrical feature to be directed for Amazon/MGM by five-time Oscar nominee David O. Russell (American Hustle), multiple sources tell Deadline.
Amazon had no comment.
The project has been percolating for some time. It is based on a Black List script by Cambron Clark, and Russell had been doing a rewrite when everything stopped with the writer’s strike.
A Prime Video Sports Original, Madden tells the story of one of the larger-than-life personalities to grace an NFL sideline. All Madden ever wanted was to be a head coach and he was one of the best ever. After winning the Super Bowl, the stress of the job began to destroy him. It forced him away from his dream job, and the film focuses on his friendship with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, and how Madden found a second act that made him far more famous. He continued his passion for teaching X’s and O’s in different ways. He redefined the notion of the football broadcaster with an outsized personality that led to a big endorsement career for Lite Beer from Miller, Tinactin and other products. Although he’d never played a video game in his life, Madden helped changed the videogame landscape when he became the figurehead for Madden NFL, a perennial top seller that this fall gets its 24th incarnation through Electronic Arts.
Amazon had no comment.
The project has been percolating for some time. It is based on a Black List script by Cambron Clark, and Russell had been doing a rewrite when everything stopped with the writer’s strike.
A Prime Video Sports Original, Madden tells the story of one of the larger-than-life personalities to grace an NFL sideline. All Madden ever wanted was to be a head coach and he was one of the best ever. After winning the Super Bowl, the stress of the job began to destroy him. It forced him away from his dream job, and the film focuses on his friendship with Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis, and how Madden found a second act that made him far more famous. He continued his passion for teaching X’s and O’s in different ways. He redefined the notion of the football broadcaster with an outsized personality that led to a big endorsement career for Lite Beer from Miller, Tinactin and other products. Although he’d never played a video game in his life, Madden helped changed the videogame landscape when he became the figurehead for Madden NFL, a perennial top seller that this fall gets its 24th incarnation through Electronic Arts.
05-26-23, 06:51 PM
#2
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Madden (D: David O. Russell) S: Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell? Frank Caliendo is right there.
05-26-23, 07:39 PM
#4
DVD Talk Hero
05-27-23, 06:55 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Madden (D: David O. Russell) S: Will Ferrell
John Candy was made for that role and probably had the same personality and charisma tailor made to play Madden.
05-27-23, 07:21 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Madden (D: David O. Russell) S: Will Ferrell
Jon Favreau?
05-28-23, 05:11 AM
#8
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Madden (D: David O. Russell) S: Will Ferrell
Chris Farley missed out on this.
Billy Gardell another option?
Would John C. Reilly play Pat Summerall?
I wonder if people would protest if a medium or skinny person played Madden and not view it as authentic?
Billy Gardell another option?
Would John C. Reilly play Pat Summerall?
I wonder if people would protest if a medium or skinny person played Madden and not view it as authentic?
05-28-23, 08:43 AM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Madden (D: David O. Russell) S: Will Ferrell
John Candy would've been the ideal actor for this, but for both him and Farley - it may not have worked in 2023 if they were still alive.
Candy would've been 73 and Farley 59 - which is probably too old to be playing Madden (especially for Candy) when he first entered the booth as he was in his early 40s.
Plus it's hard to envision what they would look like if they were still alive today.
He lost a ton of weight and kinda looks weird now. Maybe just because I'm not used to it.
Candy would've been 73 and Farley 59 - which is probably too old to be playing Madden (especially for Candy) when he first entered the booth as he was in his early 40s.
Plus it's hard to envision what they would look like if they were still alive today.
Billy Gardell another option?
