In the modern world of movies there are myriad ways to promote a new release, and we're all now pretty used to the hype cycle of release date reveals followed by teaser trailers followed by longer full trailers. Prime Video has taken a slightly different approach for one of its biggest upcoming movies, though.
It just confirmed a streaming date later this year for Madden, its biopic of one of American football's biggest icons, and did it in a way I can't remember seeing before. The video features the film's star, Nicolas Cage, talking a bit about the project and what it means to him, before confirming that all-important date.
So, thanks to Nic we now know that the film will debut on Prime Video on 18 November this year, making it a few months away right now. What's surprising to me, though, is that the video really is something of a hybrid, since we also get some meaningful glimpses of scenes from the final film.
As Cage talks, we get to see him in character in a few different phases of Madden's career, most easily told apart thanks to the different fashion and amounts of weight borne on his face. We also get to see Christian Bale as Al Davis, Madden's long-time coaching partner and friend.
Perhaps the key thing to know about Madden, other than Cage's starring role, is that it's directed by David O. Russell, best known for Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, so this is a production with some real pedigree attached. Russell's also well-known for a reportedly abrasive directing style, having alienated some previous stars, but there are no rumours of a rift with Cage at this point.
In fact, Nic seems thrilled by the movie, and invested in its subject matter, which might make it slightly interesting that Amazon's going with a streaming-first release (or seems to be at this point). With this level of directing and acting talent in the film, it'l be curious to see whether it's a reflection of its final quality that it isn't being given a wider release.
