Nicolas Cage plays John Madden in the biopic directed by David O. Russell

Nicolas Cage has officially been cast to play the role of the late NFL coach, sports commentator and video game pioneer John Madden in an upcoming biopic directed by David O. Russell.

The script for Drive crazy was written by Russell, who used an earlier version by Cambron Clark. It will focus on Madden’s post-coaching career, where he co-created EA Sports’ groundbreaking Madden NFL Video game series that was released in 1988.

The film comes from Prime Sports Original Feature Film, starring Todd Black (Left-handed) is producing with Russell and Matthew Budman. Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Jonathan Shukat will also produce for Escape Artists.

“Nicolas Cage, one of our greatest and most original actors, will represent the best of the American spirit of originality, fun and determination, where anything is possible, as beloved national legend John Madden,” Russell said in a statement. “Combined with the wild style, focus and inspired individualism of Al Davis, owner of the underdog Oakland Raiders, the film will be about the joy, humanity and genius that John Madden represented in a wildly inventive, cool world of the 1970s.”

The news of Cage’s casting comes after Will Ferrell was considered the favorite last year, with Hugh Jackson also a hot candidate for the role.