Nicolas Cage's co-star quits over nude scene clash

News.com.au

22-05-2025

A supporting actor in Nicolas Cage's forthcoming film, Madden, reportedly quit the movie abruptly after director David O. Russell allegedly used the N-word.
The actor, whose name has not been disclosed, walked away from the film — which stars Cage as NFL legend John Madden and Christian Bale as late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis — two weeks into production due to alleged racism and a full frontal nudity scene, TMZ reported today.
Five members of the Madden cast and crew spoke to the outlet about the allegations against Russell, sharing that the screenwriter, 66, was working with the unnamed actor on an impromptu monologue when he allegedly said a racial slur.
Russell's alleged use of the N-word reportedly upset the actor and others on set, prompting them to walk off before lunch and wrap for the day.
Amazon Studios sources told TMZ that it was the actor's idea to include the slur in the monologue but the word was ultimately not used when they shot the scene.
Insiders claimed Russell did not say the N-word while shooting the scene, but declined to tell the outlet what he did to upset the actor and other people working on the film.
Additionally, the unnamed actor reportedly told Russell one day prior that he did not want to be nude in a locker room scene, which allegedly upset the Silver Linings Playbook director, who TMZ said had an 'unprofessional' reaction.
Studio sources told the outlet that an intimacy co-ordinator attempted to make the actor more comfortable. However, he still had an issue with the naked scene, which prompted Russell to tell him that he didn't have to be in the shot at all.
The studio told TMZ that everyone knew in advance that certain body parts would be on display during filming. Sources also noted that the actor could return to film and 'conversations' were ongoing.
Page Six has reached out to reps for both Russell and Amazon Studios for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Russell has been involved in several controversies over the years, including allegations of abusive on-set behaviour and sexual assault.
In June 2000, George Clooney alleged that the five-time Oscar nominee yelled and screamed at people 'all day, from day one' on the set of Three Kings, publicly embarrassed a camera-car driver and reduced a script supervisor to tears.
Russell's transgender niece also filed a police report in January 2012, alleging that he sexually assaulted her at a Florida gym on December 30, 2011. The dad of two admitted to a responding officer that he touched his niece's breasts because he was curious about how the hormones affected her body parts.
Four years later, Amy Adams alleged she was mistreated by Russell on the set of American Hustle so badly that she cried.