Nicolas Cage as John Madden? Why fans are still not happy with direction of biopic on NFL legend

It took a few years but we're finally set to get a full-fledged movie on NFL legend John Madden. Amazon MGM Studios has reportedly given the green light for the biopic and according to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio also finalized the casting for Madden.

The movie is not a traditional biopic, however. It will focus on the origin of the Madden gaming franchise.

Nicolas Cage, he of Con Air, National Treasure, and more recently Longlegs fame, is set to play the great John Madden on the big screen. Cage's casting was met with a mixed reaction, though NFL fans had a much larger issue with the director.

David O. Russell, of Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle fame, has reportedly been brought on board to bring the life of the storied former coach and commentator to the big screen. However, fans raised a major issue with Russell being asked to direct.

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Madden fans raise issue with David O. Russell

Here's what a large section of fans had to say:

Fans also brought up the laundry list of controversies David O. Russell has been involved in. In 2019, according to a report from The Smoking Gun, O. Russell's niece Nicole Peloquin reportedly filed a police report alleging that her uncle sexually assaulted her in Florida.

More recently, George Clooney came out all guns firing against the director, saying that O. Russell made his life "hell" during five months on the Three Kings set.

"Making every person in the crew’s life hell," Clooney said, according to USA Today. "It's not worth it. Not at this point in my life."

Some fans are still optimistic that Cage will be the salvaging grace of the movie.

"Cage is a legend just like Madden," one fan wrote on X.

"Interesting choice, but I'm sure Nic Cage will have his own unique spin on him," another opined.

"He will absolutely nail this role," wrote a third.

Interestingly, according to Variety, David O. Russell also considered Will Ferrell and Hugh Jackman to be cast as John Madden before ultimately settling on Cage.

Cage's most recent movie, Longlegs, had a budget of $10 million but has already racked up $90 million worldwide.