Fans criticise Nicolas Cage's John Madden impression in trailer for Madden biopic
A trailer and clip for a John Madden film starring Nicolas Cage drew widespread criticism on social media from NFL fans, who said Cage's voice and look did not resemble the late coach and broadcaster. The film is due in theatres on Nov. 11.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 2A new trailer and clip for an upcoming film about John Madden, with Nicolas Cage playing the late coach and broadcaster, drew sharp criticism from NFL fans on social media on 28 October. Fox NewsR “The new trailer for the John Madden movie starring Nicholas Cage has hardcore NFL fans questioning whether the actor even tried the iconic voice.” Read at Fox News ↗ BreitbartR “Just one clip from actor Nicolas Cage’s upcoming film about football legend John Madden was enough for fans to call the biopic the worst ever.” Read at Breitbart ↗ Right · 1Fox News's Outkick says the film is set for release in theatres on Nov. 11. Fox NewsR “is set to release in theaters on Nov. 11!” Read at Fox News ↗ Right · 1Breitbart describes a clip in which Cage, wearing a fat-face prosthetic, uses a telestrator to draw a messy play diagram while the broadcast-booth crew ridicule Madden for using it. BreitbartR “Cage, who is wearing a fat-face prosthetic as he portrays the famed NFL broadcaster, is seen using a clear piece of plastic — called a telestrator” Read at Breitbart ↗
Right · 1The Fox News writer called it "an awful John Madden impression" and said it sounded like Cage speaking in his own voice. Fox NewsR “that's just an awful John Madden impression. I'm not sure we can even call it an impression?” Read at Fox News ↗ Right · 1Fans quoted by Breitbart on X called the acting "Horrid", compared it to a Saturday Night Live sketch, and said Cage "sounds like 10% Jimmy Stewart, 90% Nicolas Cage. 0% Madden." BreitbartR “One commenter said that in the clip, Cage “sounds like 10% Jimmy Stewart, 90% Nicolas Cage. 0% Madden.””“X user Dudley Brown simply replied, “Horrid acting.”” Read at Breitbart ↗ Right · 1Some said they would not watch the film, and one wrote that it was "an embarrassment to his legacy". BreitbartR ““Out of respect to John Madden, I will not watch this movie.””“This is an embarrassment to his legacy.”” Read at Breitbart ↗
Right · 1The Fox News writer called the worry about Madden's legacy "a little dramatic" but said the film would not help his standing with younger generations. Fox NewsR “That's a little dramatic, if you ask me.” Read at Fox News ↗ Right · 1Madden died in 2021. He won a Super Bowl as Raiders coach, became a broadcaster in 1979, won 16 Emmys, and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2006. BreitbartR “John Madden passed away in 2021, but he left an amazing legacy as a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Raiders before he became a broadcaster in 1979”“He won 16 Emmy Awards as a broadcaster and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010 and the NFL Hall of Fame in 2006.” Read at Breitbart ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets present the trailer as a fan backlash story, led by social-media reaction to Cage's voice and look.
- Emphasis
- Fox News gives the writer's own verdict and nostalgia for Madden's Thanksgiving broadcasts; Breitbart stacks quoted X posts.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither includes comment from the filmmakers, Cage or Madden's family, or any positive reactions.
- Charged language
- “horrified”“Embarrassing”“Horrid Acting”“desecration”
What every side reports
- Nicolas Cage plays John Madden in an upcoming biopic.
- Fans on social media reacted negatively to the trailer or clip.
- Madden is a late NFL coach and broadcaster.
Where accounts differ
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How serious the backlash is
- Right
- Breitbart says fans called the biopic "the worst ever" and quotes users calling it a "desecration"; Fox News says fans are "burying" it but that worries about Madden's legacy are "a little dramatic".
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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NFL fans horrified by Nicholas Cage's John Madden impression in upcoming movie: 'Embarrassing'
Mixed Conversational, nostalgic column that shares fans' dislike of the impression while calling legacy fears a bit dramatic.
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NFL Fans Shocked by Nicolas Cage's John Madden Impersonation in Upcoming Movie: 'Horrid Acting'
Critical Compiles harsh fan posts on X to portray the clip as widely derided.
- 28 Oct 13:56 First Fox NewsR NFL fans horrified by Nicholas Cage's John Madden impression in upcoming movie: 'Embarrassing'
- 28 Oct 17:23 +3h 28m BreitbartR NFL Fans Shocked by Nicolas Cage's John Madden Impersonation in Upcoming Movie: 'Horrid Acting'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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