Currently, Nicolas Cage is enjoying a successful period, showcasing his versatility in films like “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” and creatively unsettling audiences in “Dream Scenario” and “Longlegs.” Although Cage has hinted at possibly retiring from acting, it appears he isn’t slowing down yet. He’s set to star in the upcoming sports biopic “Madden,” portraying the legendary John Madden. The first visuals of Cage taking on this role are out, and they might make you look twice.

Deadline has released an initial glimpse of Cage as Madden, clad in a Raiders jacket, holding a football, and flaunting a Super Bowl ring. Alongside him is the hardly recognizable Christian Bale, who is transformed into Al Davis, the famous former Raiders owner. Another image, featured by The Daily Mail, gives a fuller view of Cage’s transformation, suggesting he might be using a fat suit to closely resemble the older Madden.

In a conversation with The San Francisco Chronicle, Cage discussed the task of bringing such an iconic sports personality to life. He admitted, “I’ve never been part of a sports film of this scale, and portraying someone like John Madden is entirely new for me. I find it quite challenging as he’s a character who is very different from myself.” When “Madden” hits the screens, Cage may be transformed in unexpected ways.

Nicolas Cage has taken on some truly outlandish roles over the years, from a hellborn superhero with a flaming skull for a head in “Ghost Rider” to a silent, animatronic-fighting janitor in “Willy’s Wonderland.” Portraying John Madden will certainly require him to be a bit more grounded than those parts, but fans already largely like the idea of what Cage should bring to the NFL icon. Posts of Cage as Madden have quickly populated X to largely positive reactions, including @adivraz, who wrote, “Nic Cage looks perfect as John Madden.”

While Cage looks the part, many Redditors were curious as to how he’ll sound. John Madden had a unique speaking style, often punctuating sentences with a “Boom!” or “Pow!” As Redditor u/Ordinary-Leather-262 said, “John Madden had such a unique and instantly recognizable way of speaking, can’t wait to hear Nic Cage’s version.”

Others may need to see a trailer before deciding if Cage as Madden was the right call, especially since there’s one man who basically built a career out of a John Madden impression. As U/IBelongHere noted, “They should have just hired Frank Caliendo.” Caliendo made a name for himself on “MadTV,” where he was known for his celebrity impressions, but none were as beloved as his Madden. But while Caliendo has proved that he can portray a hilarious version of Madden, the film will likely call for a bit more pathos. That’s where Cage comes in.

It sounds like “Madden” will encompass many of the major accomplishments throughout John Madden’s illustrious career. Amazon MGM Studios posted a brief synopsis of the film to Instagram, which states, “The film follows Madden’s remarkable journey — from his Super Bowl-winning partnership with Al Davis and the Raiders to creating Madden NFL and becoming one of the most iconic voices in football history.” That’s a lot of ground to cover, from his career on the gridiron to his time as a commentator and video game icon, so there should be areas of interest for both sports fans and gamers.

The film will be directed by David O’Russell, who previously helmed “The Fighter,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “American Hustle.” His last film, “Amsterdam,” bombed at the box office and failed to impress critics, so “Madden” could be the Hail Mary play he needs. In addition to Cage and Bale, the movie also stars Sienna Miller and Kathryn Hahn as Carol Davis and Virginia Madden, respectively, the wives of Al Davis and John Madden. It also features John Mulaney as Trip Hawkins, the founder of Electronic Arts, which released the “Madden NFL” video games.

With an all-star cast and a story about the life of a legendary sports figure, “Madden,” which does not yet have a release date, will be one to watch.