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[jo]

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David O. Russell's ‘Madden' to Shoot This Fall — Hugh Jackman Added to the Cast


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David O. Russell's ‘Madden' to Shoot This Fall — Hugh Jackman Added to the Cast
April 18, 2024 Jordan Ruimy

David O. Russell has no less than five projects in development at the moment. There’s “Madden,” a Linda Ronstadt biopic, with Selena Gomez, the Get Smart reboot, a FIFA limited series, and “Toys” which has Sacha Baron Cohen and Keke Palmer attached to star.

I’m hearing “Madden” is next. A fall 2024 shoot is scheduled for that one. Will Ferrell is still supposed to star as John Madden, and we can now add Hugh Jackman’s name to the cast — he’s rumored to be playing NFL hall of famer Joe Montana.

“Madden” will focus on the former coach’s exit from the league and subsequent partnership with EA Sports to make the pioneering “Madden NFL” video game franchise. The film will recount the rivalry between Madden and Montana, the latter, his rival, in a race against time, was also developing his own video game

The script for “Madden,” written by Cambron Clark, has been part of the Blacklist for a few years now. No word on whether Russell tweaked the script to his own liking, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s done just that.

It seems as though there is still some prestige left in Russell’s brand of filmmaking as he’s constantly delivered critically acclaimed films over the course of his 30-year career, films such as Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter, Three Kings, Flirting with Disaster and American Hustle cemented his A-list status.

Russell’s last effort was the ill-received “Amsterdam,” released in 2022, which lost 20th Century over $100 million. As you can see by the workload he currently has on his plate, and despite the controversies, he’s remains filmmaker studios still want to partner with.

[jo]

From Vulture --

the 2022 BLACK LIST of SCRIPTS!

MADDEN is rated highly with 19 mentions ( to make the list, minimum of 6 mentions from producers & other movers & shakers needed).

THE INDUSTRY
The 2022 Black List Has a Britney Biopic, Four Seasons Total Landscaping Drama
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THE INDUSTRY DEC. 12, 2022
The 2022 Black List Has A Britney Spears Biopic and Four Seasons Total Landscaping Script
Portrait of Zoe Guy
By Zoe Guy, a news writer who covers film, TV, music, and celebrities

It’s Britney, Bitch. Photo: J. Merritt/Getty Images for GLAAD
Franklin Leonard is back to save screenplays from unproduced purgatory. That’s right, folks, the annual Black List — a roundup of the most-liked feature film screenplays compiled from the suggestions of more than 300 film executives — is back for its 2022 edition. Multiple Black List movies (54 to be precise) have gone on to become Oscar winners. The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, Spotlight earned Academy Awards in the Best Picture category, while Jojo Rabbit, Promising Young Women, and a dozen more films went away with Best Screenplay honors. To gain entry to this year’s list, scripts received at least six mentions from the nominating committee. Hollywood execs chose 74 screenplays for the 2022 list, and the range is something to behold. From stories of struggling athletes and new screenplays to fuel the biopic industrial complex (one aptly titled It’s Britney, Bitch), there’s a little something for everyone. It features five movies about movies — a movie about Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, a script about documentarians with a bitter secret, and a story about an action star whose head injury makes him think he’s a real-life hero, amongst others. There’s even a script about Trump’s Four Seasons Total Landscaping slapstick snafu.



Pure, Catherine Schetina (25 mentions)
Obsessed with food purity, Hannah’s trip to her sister’s destination wedding descends into madness when she contracts a mysterious foodborne illness that threatens to destroy her from within.

Court 17, Elad Ziv (22 mentions)
An over-the-hill tennis pro, trying to salvage her career, finds herself stuck playing the first round of the US Open over and over again against one of the top players in the world. The only way to stop the loop is to win the match, a seemingly impossible task due to how overmatched she is.

Pumping Black, Haley Bartels (22 mentions)
A desperate cyclist and his charismatic new team doctor concoct a dangerous training program in order to win the Tour de France. But as the race progresses and jealous teammates, suspicious authorities, and the racer’s own paranoia close in, they must take increasingly dark measures to protect both his secret and his lead.

Pizza Girl, Jean Kyoung Frazier (21 mentions)
An 18-year-old pregnant pizza delivery girl falls into an obsession with a stay-at-home mother who is new to the neighborhood.

Beachwood, Briggs Watkins & Wes Watkins (20 mentions)
Shunned by elite society as a member of the gig economy, a sociopathic dog walker infiltrates an exclusive L.A. community with designs of reaching the top of the neighborhood’s social ladder.

A Guy Goes to Therapy, Shane Mack (19 mentions)
When an emotionally stunted townie with no direction is left by his longtime girlfriend, he has no choice but to turn to an option he would have never considered: therapy. As a result, his entire existence is thrown into flux and his life gets a whole lot worse before it can get better.

Madden, Cambron Clark (19 mentions)
After being forced into retirement by the Oakland Raiders, fiery former NFL head coach John Madden teams up with a mild-mannered Harvard programmer to rewrite his fading legacy by building the world’s first football video game. Based on a true story.

[jo]

It looks like the focus of the film is on Madden.

Joe Montana, one of the game's Hall of Fame honorees will likely be a supporting role character in this movie, unless David Russell would have tweaked the script.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Montana

Rumor is that this is a film project by Amazon-MGM. So, a likely streaming movie?

Jo

[jo]

From Wiki --

David Owen Russell (born August 20, 1958) is an American film director, screenwriter and producer. His early directing career includes the dark comedy films Spanking the Monkey (1994), Flirting with Disaster (1996), Three Kings (1999), and I Heart Huckabees (2004). He gained critical success with the biographical sports drama The Fighter (2010), the romantic comedy-drama Silver Linings Playbook (2012), and the dark comedy crime film American Hustle (2013).

The three films were commercially successful and acclaimed by critics, earning Russell three Academy Award nominations for Best Director, as well as a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination for Silver Linings Playbook and a Best Original Screenplay nomination for American Hustle. Russell received his seventh Golden Globe nomination for the semi-biographical comedy-drama Joy (2015).

On a personal note, he went to Amherst College, one of the major schools in the same community where I did my graduate work (UMass at Amherst)

Jo

[jo]

This is MUCH BETTER NEWS! Hugh Jackman will play the title role! And guess who may be co-starring with him

David O. Russell's ‘Madden' to Shoot This Fall — Hugh Jackman and Tom Hanks Added to the Cast
April 19, 2024 Jordan Ruimy

UPDATE: I had the roles mixed up. Ferrell is OUT as Madden, he’s being replaced by Jackman. Weird casting. Also, Tom Hanks is in talks to play Oakland Raiders football coach Al Davis.

Weird casting - ha!

Who would ever think that Hugh would be very successful and even get an EMMY acting nomination for the biopic of Frank Tasone in Bad Education?? Hugh Jackman is very verstatile!

Jo

[jo]

Here is information on JOHN MADDEN - a renowned sports figure and sports commentator. But the film is about the journey towards developing the most successful football video game ( named after him).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Madden

[jo]

David Russell has a reputation for being a controversial and supposed abusive behavior on set.

But he has also a director who has guided some actors towards Oscar wins & nominations.

*Jennifer Lawrence - Oscar win for Silver Linings Playbook/ Oscar nonimation for Joy/Oscar nomination for American Hustle
*Christian Bale - Oscar win for The Fighter / Oscar nomination for American Hustle
*Bradley Cooper - Oscar nomination for Silver Linings Playbook & American Hustle
*Amy Adams - Oscar nomination for American Hustle

Jo

[jo]

Of course we will still need OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION of this casting news!

Crossing my fingers & toes!


Jo

[jo]

The news has appeared in other tweets/X posts and film blogs -- I guess it is nearer to confirmation now?

Btw - I replied to a few who found the casting of Hugh Jackman in the role as not typical --

Reply to the tweeter who mentioned "weird casting" --

JoAB
@joab46466753
Hugh Jackman is very versatile. Who would ever think he would be very successful & even get an EMMY acting nomination in a very unlikely character as Frank Tassone for Bad Education?

The recasting news also appeared in another publication -- where there were many feedback comments. A few wanted Will Ferrell to be retained - I think these are from the typical sports "jocks" types who like to enjoy the humor of bombastic sportscasting.

JoAB
@joab46466753
·
23m
HughJackman is an excellent actor. Did you see him in BadEducation where he portrayed Frank Tassone, a school administrator who was convicted of the largest financial scandal in the US school system? He earned an Emmy acting nod for the role...and he looked nothing like Tassone.



JoAB
@joab46466753
Neither did he look like PTBarnum ( Greatest Showman) or presidential candidate Gary Hart in The Front Runner. He has wide range & versatile in most any genre.



JoAB
@joab46466753
·
Does HJ have a sports background? Rugby, track, cricket, swim team in school.Watersports/snow skiing/golf/tennis up to now. How about sportscasting - he did once for an Aussie football match. Btw, apart from his dramatic theatre degree, he also has a mass comm(journalism)degree.



JoAB
@joab46466753

Btw, he has done a sports movie before - he portrayed a fictional ski jumping coach in Eddie The Eagle.
youtube.com
Eddie the Eagle Hugh Jackman Skii Jump
nice jump..

[jo]

This is John Madden in his later years. From athlete to sportscasting to overseeing development of the most successful football video game.



I guess we might see a more portly Hugh with a white wig?

Jo

[jo]

A summary from MSN --

Hugh Jackman is set to replace Will Ferrell as John Madden in the upcoming biopic titled “Madden”, directed by David O. Russell. This news was confirmed by trustworthy insider Daniel Richtman on Patreon. The film, scheduled to commence filming in 2024, centers on Madden’s exit from the league and his collaboration with EA Sports to develop the groundbreaking “Madden NFL” video game franchise. The storyline will delve into the rivalry between Madden and NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, who simultaneously develops his own video game. Additionally, there are discussions about Tom Hanks portraying Oakland Raiders football coach Al Davis in the movie. The release date for “Madden” is set for 2025, although no specific date has been announced yet.

[jo]

Cinema Fans
@thecinemafans
·
6m
Hugh Jackman is reportedly set
to replace Will Ferrell as John Madden in upcoming biopic directed by David O. Russell.
(Via:
@danielrpk
)



JoAB
@joab46466753
Excellent work in biopics (GreatestShowman/BadEducation/TheFrontRunner ... & TheBoyfromOz on Broadway) - Hugh Jackman has range & versatility!

Hugh Jackman never looked like any of them -- PTBarnum / Frank Tassone / Gary Hart & Peter Allen.

[jo]

Hugh never went for cosmetics/prosthetics and mimicry -- but you can discern how he embodies the spirit and personality of the biopic subject.

That is because he is an excellent actor who studies his role with strong professional discipline.

If Valjean was a real person, Hugh would have also given a strong personification of this literary hero.


Jo

[jo]

The misgivings on social media have started --

Muad’Dib
@supermari64
·
1h
HUH?

The Hollywood Handle
@hollywoodhandle
·
15h
Hugh Jackman is reportedly set to replace Will Ferrell as John Madden in upcoming biopic directed by David O. Russell.

(Via: @danielrpk)

Fine-ance
@thetajmiham
·
1h
Lmao
Muad’Dib
@supermari64
·

like why they not just cancelling this lmao. man cant pull that off impossible



Fine-ance
@thetajmiham
·
1h
Don’t Hugh Jackman have a thick accent? Lmao



Muad’Dib
@supermari64
·
1h
yes this man from australia or something lol. like i cant even see him impersonating Madden



JoAB
@joab46466753
·
18m
HughJackman is very versatile and has successfully portrayed real persons in various biopics. PTBarnum(GreatestShowman)/FrankTassone in the largest financial scandal in US school system in Bad Education/ politician Gary Hart in The Front Runner& PeterAllen in BoyFromOz on B'way.



Muad’Dib
@supermari64
·
12m
none of those people are widely known as madden is when it comes to voice and appearance



JoAB
@joab46466753
·
9m
Biopics need not be the perfect carbon copy of the person being portrayed. Did DanielDayLewis look like Abraham Lincoln (LINCOLN)? Did Christian Bale look like Dick Cheney (VICE). Did Meryl Streep look like famous chef Julia Child?



JoAB
@joab46466753
Did Hugh Jackman even look like (incl height) the famous comicbook character Wolverine at all? Yet, he carried the FOX XMen franchise successfully for almost 25 years now.



Muad’Dib
@supermari64

he def looked like Wolverine for a movie lol

Muad’Dib
@supermari64
·
14m
i got no doubt about his ability, just doesnt seem like a casting that makes sense on first read



JoAB
@joab46466753
Maybe we should trust the judgment of the director (David Russell) & the producers ( Amazon/MGM) as they will be risking their reputation & their funding if he is completely miscast?



JoAB
@joab46466753
Btw, the movie it seems will focus on an episode in hhis later life. Based on the Black List winning script "Madden" by Cambron Clark , maybe with some tweaking by David Russell, thus: 1/2



JoAB
@joab46466753

"After being forced into retirement by the Oakland Raiders, fiery former NFL head coach John Madden teams up with a mild-mannered Harvard programmer to rewrite his fading legacy by building the world’s first football video game. Based on a true story"

[jo]

Lol - it is the fanboys who objected strongly to his casting as Wolverine.

With the portrayal of Madden, it is the sports jocks who initially want someone who looks very closely like him and speaks with the gravelly voice like his.

We'll see

Jo

[jo]

John Ananias
@burtonesque92
·
2h
Okay, besides the obvious "David O. Russell bad" of it all...what the fuck is this movie's take/perspective on John Madden that it's "reportedly" going from Will Ferrell (good on my guy for exiting a DOR movie, by the way) to Hugh Jackman?

The Hollywood Handle
@hollywoodhandle
·
20h
Hugh Jackman is reportedly set to replace Will Ferrell as John Madden in upcoming biopic directed by David O. Russell.

(Via: @danielrpk)

Soaps and Sci-Fi
@soapsandscifi
·
1h
Considering Jackman's years of working with Singer, I can't be too shocked, but I agree it just shows how nonsensical this project is. Is this from his family? Who wants this?




JoAB
@joab46466753
Top-rated onBlackList(best unproduced scripts):
After being forced into retirement by theOakland Raiders,fiery formerNFL head coachJohnMadden teams up w/ a mild-manneredHarvard programmer to rewrite his fading legacy by building world’s1st football video game.Based on true story"

[jo]

Hope this will be the final reaction, from an initial skepticism --

Daniel Wexler
@wexlerrules
·
16m
Hugh Jackman is playing.... JOHN MADDEN in a film? Yes, that John Madden

JoAB
@joab46466753
It seems this movie is focused on an event in his later life. It is supposedly based on a script top-rated on the 2022 Black List ( best unproduced scripts rated by H'wood producers, etc). It is a script from Cambron Clark.



Daniel Wexler
@wexlerrules
·
10m
Still a very odd casting decision. Hugh Jackman isn't who comes to mind when I think of John Madden in any way, young or old.



JoAB
@joab46466753
·
HughJackman has done a few successful biopics... never looked like the subject... able to convey the essence of personality involved in a strong&convincing way.Seen GShowman(PTBarnum)/ BadEducation (FTassone-largest financial scandal in school system)/ The FrontRunner (GaryHart)?




JoAB
@joab46466753
·
11m
"After being forced into retirement by the Oakland Raiders, fiery former NFL head coach John Madden teams up with a mild-mannered Harvard programmer to rewrite his fading legacy by building the world’s first football video game. Based on a true story"



Daniel Wexler
@wexlerrules
·
9m
Sounds interesting. Will Ferrell dropped out.

[jo]

Hey, he just said that he will check out Bad Education -- "up his alley", he said...plus he likes HJ movies.

He said he was disappointed with Greatest Showman because he wanted to see a straight biopic of the controversial Barnum...which I find understandable.

I will try to sell him THE SON.

Jo

[jo]

JoAB
@joab46466753
·
1h
And being a musical,w/ such a very popular songlist,it would be inconsistent w/ the telling of some realistic facts inBarnum's life ☺️
Do check out BadEducation - you might like this one. It is a true crime...but the movie is exellent. HJ got an EMMY acting nod for his portrayal.




Daniel Wexler
@wexlerrules
·
1h
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll definitely check it out. I remember it had good reviews when it came out. I generally (or almost always) enjoy him in films. As I said, Barnum was just a disappointment due to my own “biases”.




JoAB
@joab46466753
If you like HJ in other genres like drama-
He was in a recent familial drama about adolescent depression. The subject is serious (not a medical procedural) but provokes more conversations on this societal concern. From the writer/director of TheFather.



youtube.com
THE SON | Official Trailer (2022)
Directed by: Florian ZellerWritten by: Florian Zeller, Christopher HamptonStarring: Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Zen McGrath, and Anthony Hopkins...

[mamaleh]

You're a very adept salesperson, Jo. I'm sure your efforts will bear fruit among the clueless.

Ellen

[pebbles]

As a NFL fan and a HJ fan since 2006, I cannot fathom Hugh playing NFL legend John Madden - neither looks, stature nor voice. IMO, perfect casting would be Will Farrell as Madden and Bradley Cooper as Joe Montana - both bear resemblance to the characters. Bradley Cooper was great in Silver Linings Playbook - it was actually my introduction to him. I have to wonder if he was not initially tapped to portray Joe Montana and recommended his and Ryan's buddy, Hugh. I don't think this casting will do HJ, or the movie, any favors. Hope I eat my words!

[jo]

Film is supposed to be based on a top-rated script on the 2022 Black List, thus --

"After being forced into retirement by the Oakland Raiders,fiery former NFL head coach John Madden teams up w/ a mild-mannered Harvard programmer to rewrite his fading legacy by building world’s 1st football video game. Based on true story"

Hugh Jackman is not yet confirmed for the role.

Jo

[jo]

BREAKING NEWS
Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer To Star In Robin Hood Reimagining

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Hugh Jackman & Jodie Comer To Star In Robin Hood Reimagining ‘The Death Of Robin Hood’ For ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Director Michael Sarnoski — Cannes Market Hot Project
By Andreas Wiseman

@andreaswiseman

May 3, 2024 7:46am
Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer
Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer
Ben Watts/Edd Horder

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a buzzy one. Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) and Emmy winner Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) are attached to star in new movie The Death Of Robin Hood, we can reveal.

Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One director Michael Sarnoski is writer-director on the project, which will be among the hot titles on sale at this month’s Cannes market via WME Independent. Arrival and The Prestige producer Aaron Ryder is among the producing team.

The film is a darker reimagining of the classic Robin Hood tale. Set of its time, the film will see the title character grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder, a battleworn loner who finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation. Production is due to begin in February 2025.


Lyrical Media (Elevation) is fully financing. Ryder and Andrew Swett will produce under their Ryder Picture Company banner alongside Alexander Black for Lyrical Media. Lyrical’s Jon Rosenberg and Natalie Sellers will executive-produce with Rama Gottumukkala, Sarnoski, and Jackman.

Lyrical Media’s Alexander Black said: “We are thrilled to be part of this very special project and to be working with a visionary director in Michael, a phenomenal cast in Hugh and Jodie, and producing with our frequent collaborators, Ryder and Swett at RPC.”

“This is not the story of Robin Hood we’ve all come to know,” added Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett of RPC. “Instead, Michael has crafted something far more grounded and visceral. Thanks to Alexander Black and our friends at Lyrical along with Rama and Michael, the world is going to love seeing Hugh and Jodie together in this epic.”

“It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood,” reflected Sarnoski. “Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”

This news follows the recent announcement of Lyrical and RPC’s collaboration on Adam Wingard’s action thriller Onslaught with A24. The two companies also collaborated on Hulu/Onyx’s 2023 release, Bruiser, which premiered at TIFF.



The in-demand Jackman will next be seen co-headlining Disney’s Deadpool & Wolverine with Ryan Reynolds. Comer recently made her Broadway and West End debut in Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie and will be seen this year in The Bikeriders alongside Austin Butler. She is currently in production on Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later.

Sarnoski is best known for Nicolas Cage movie Pig and has anticipated prequel A Quiet Place: Day One upcoming for Paramount. Lyrical is in post on Elevation starring Anthony Mackie. Ryder Picture Company (RPC) recently produced Craig Gillespie’s dramedy Dumb Money and has Amy Adams starrer At The Sea on the slate.

Jackman is represented by WME. Comer is represented by WME and Independent Talent Group. Sarnoski is represented by WME, MGMT Entertainment, and Derek Kroeger.

[jo]

Essentially the same report on Variety --

Variety

Markets & Festivals
May 3, 2024 8:30am PT
Hugh Jackman, Jodie Comer Starring in ‘The Death of Robin Hood’

By Brent Lang

Plus Icon
Hugh Jackman Jodie Comer


Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer are heading to Sherwood Forest for one last hurrah.

The “Wolverine” star and the “Killing Eve” actress are attached to star in “The Death of Robin Hood,” a cheery-sounding new film from Michael Sarnoski, the director of the critically-acclaimed “Pig” and this summer’s “A Quiet Place: Day One.”

According to the official logline, the film will find Robin Hood “grappling with his past after a life of crime and murder.” Instead of the merry outlaw seen in certain previous versions of the story like the one portrayed by Errol Flynn, this Robin Hood is “a battleworn loner [who] finds himself gravely injured and in the hands of a mysterious woman, who offers him a chance at salvation.” It sounds reminiscent of Richard Lester’s elegiac take on the popular story, “Robin and Marian,” a 1976 film starring Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn as a middled-aged Robin Hood and Maid Marian.



Production on “The Death of Robin Hood” is set to begin in February 2025. “It has been an incredible opportunity to reinvent and freshly innovate the story we all know of Robin Hood,” Sarnoski said in a statement. “Securing the perfect cast to transform the script to screen was essential. I could not be more thrilled and trusting in Hugh and Jodie to bring this story to life in a powerful and meaningful way.”



Jackman will next be seen flashing his Adamantium claws opposite Ryan Reynolds in this summer’s “Deadpool & Wolverine.” His other credits include “The Greatest Showman” and his Oscar-nominated role in “Les Miserables.” On stage, he won a Tony Award for his performance in “The Boy From Oz.”

Comer won an Emmy for her work on “Killing Eve” and a Tony Award for her one-woman performance in “Prima Facie.” She also starred in Ridley Scott’s “The Last Duel” alongside Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and can next be seen in “The Bikeriders” co-starring with Austin Butler and Tom Hardy.

Jackman is represented by WME. Comer is represented by WME and Independent Talent Group. Sarnoski is represented by WME, MGMT Entertainment and Derek Kroeger.

Lyrical Media is fully financing “The Death of Robin Hood.” Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett will produce under their Ryder Picture Company banner alongside Alexander Black for Lyrical Media. Lyrical’s Jon Rosenberg and Natalie Sellers will executive produce with Rama Gottumukkala, Sarnoski and Jackman. WME Independent will represent the worldwide sales rights to the film in Cannes this month.

[jo]