Nicolas Cage’s ‘Madden’ movie forgoes a wide theatrical release, heads straight to Prime Video

Madden is getting the modern-day equivalent of a direct-to-video release.

The biopic, in which Nicolas Cage portrays the legendary Oakland Raiders coach-turned-broadcasting icon, is forgoing a nationwide theatrical run in favor of an exclusive Prime Video premiere this fall, according to Variety.

Amazon MGM, the studio financing the project, has locked in Nov. 18 as the film’s Prime Video debut. A limited, awards-qualifying theatrical engagement is expected to precede that date earlier in November, but the release will stop well short of a wide cinematic rollout.

Cage, despite reportedly losing out to Will Ferrell as David O. Russell’s original choice for the role — with Hugh Jackman also floated — appeared padded and coiffed into a passable approximation of Madden’s considerable frame. Christian Bale plays Al Davis, the combustible Raiders owner and Madden’s closest ally. John Mulaney portrays Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, architect of the video game empire that immortalized Madden’s name. Kathryn Hahn plays his wife, Virginia, and Sienna Miller plays Davis’ wife, Carol. Shane Gillis rounds out the ensemble in a role still under wraps.

The Hollywood Reporter reported around the time of the teaser’s release last December that it was still unclear whether Madden would land in theaters or go straight to streaming. Now, we know that despite the star power, the pedigree behind the camera, and Amazon’s own hand in setting the film’s Thanksgiving-adjacent release date, the streaming-first approach won out.

Awful Announcing’ss Michael Grant made the case for reserving judgment, pointing to Cage’s history of turning ridiculed premises — see Pig — into some of his most acclaimed work. But even extending that benefit of the doubt, a streaming-first release doesn’t bode well for what was shaping out to be one of the more star-studded sports biopics in recent memory.