Nicolas Cage Changed His Body and Mind to Play Football Coach John Madden
Actor Nicolas Cage has transformed himself for his new biopic about football coach John Madden, according to his co-star Kathryn Hahn.
The movie, simply titled 'Madden,' is directed by David O. Russell and is set to be released next week.
To prepare for the role, Cage gained 25 pounds. This physical change helped him look more like the famous coach.
Hahn, who also stars in the film, said that Cage changed 'from within.' This suggests his transformation was not only physical but also emotional or mental.
After finishing his work on the film, Cage has reportedly started using a special machine to lose the extra weight he gained for the role.
Despite the effort put into the movie, there is some uncertainty about how much public attention it will receive. Some commentators have questioned whether audiences know about the film or are interested in watching it.
John Madden was a well-known American football coach and later a famous television commentator. He is remembered by many sports fans in the United States.
Cage is known for fully committing to his roles, often changing his appearance or behavior to become his characters. This new transformation for 'Madden' appears to follow that same pattern.
The film marks another collaboration between Cage and Russell, a director known for his character-driven stories.
Fans and critics will soon be able to judge the final result when the movie is released.
Vocabulary10 words
- biopic
- a movie that tells the story of a real person's life
- transformed
- changed completely, often in appearance or behavior
- gained
- increased or got more of something, like weight
- co-star
- another main actor in the same film
- director
- the person who controls how a movie is made
- commentator
- someone who talks about events, like sports, on TV
- uncertainty
- a feeling of not being sure about something
- audience
- the group of people watching a movie or show
- committing
- giving full effort and attention to something
- collaboration
- working together with someone on a project
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. He gained 25 pounds 2. His transformation included emotional or mental changes 3. False
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Actor Nicolas Cage has _____ himself for his new biopic about football coach John Madden.
The movie, simply titled 'Madden,' is directed by David O. _____ and is set to be released next week.
To prepare for the role, Cage _____ 25 pounds.
Hahn, who also stars in the film, said that Cage changed 'from _____.'
After finishing his work, Cage has reportedly started using a special _____ to lose the extra weight.
Some commentators have questioned whether _____ know about the film or are interested in watching it.
John Madden was a well-known American football coach and later a famous television _____.
Cage is known for fully _____ to his roles, often changing his appearance to become his characters.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think actors like Nicolas Cage change their bodies for movie roles?
- Do you think physical transformation helps make a performance more believable? Why or why not?
- What challenges might an actor face when trying to lose weight gained for a role?
- Do you think audiences care more about an actor's transformation or the story of the movie itself?
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.
More Entertainment stories
Next story · Medium
Lions Beat Patriots in NFL Week 10