Will Ferrell as John Madden? Amazon reportedly wants comedian for movie about NFL video game's origin

After 18 years, we finally have some insight into what Buddy the Elf was doing in Santa’s workshop back in 2003 — making video games.

Buddy, also known as Will Ferrell — outside the North Pole — has played in plenty of movies throughout his long career. The four-time Emmy winner earned a reputation for starring in plenty of slapstick comedies from “Elf,” to “Step Brothers” and “Anchorman,” with everything else in between, while also being a fixture on “Saturday Night Live” during the 1990s.

Now, Ferrell is said to be exploring a new path, according to Deadline.

MORE: Why is Michael Jordan not in the movie ‘Air’?

The actor is in talks with Amazon to be cast as legendary NFL coach, broadcaster and Hall of Fame inductee John Madden in Amazon/MGM’s upcoming film directed by David O. Russell, “Madden” — which will explore the origins of the famous football video game.

Will Ferrell is in talks to star as John Madden in David O. Russell’s ‘MADDEN’, a film about the origins of the Madden video game.

(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/XBZNhiTWhn

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) May 26, 2023

The film is said to be set after Madden’s exit from the NFL when he teams up with EA Sports to craft the game. “John Madden Football” officially released for the first time in 1988, before taking on its more recognized name, “Madden NFL” in 1993 while on its way to becoming one of the most profitable video game franchises in existence.

As far as casting choices go, Ferrell portraying Madden in a film likely wasn’t on anyone’s 2023 bingo card. Reaction from social media seems to back that up, especially with the news coming shortly after “Air” released in theaters.

MORE: How John Madden made NFL fun for every generation

I’d sooner eat glass until I perished than watch Will Ferrell in this https://t.co/p2aBkHKvtu

— Hot Dog Man (@JoshuaZavadil) May 26, 2023

im going to lose it lmao not about will ferrell or the game but the idea that the next big vein that movie studios have decided to mine is ‘dramatized oral history of the creation your favorite products’ https://t.co/huZVThyx33

— Ludic Tony: calm father (@slugworlds) May 26, 2023

“I’m sick of super hero media, so you know what Tetris and Air feel like a bit of change of pace for movies.” https://t.co/VsvtlXT2Z2 pic.twitter.com/wXBUIwvj5J

— Isaac (@GalaxyPeaBrain) May 26, 2023

how is this not frank caliendo https://t.co/pEFaK6dOER

— kevin (@go_birds_) May 26, 2023

🔊ITS OFFICIAL: Hollywood has run out of movies https://t.co/CCRblNfrSE

— NUMB POSTS (@numbtwts) May 26, 2023

I hope it includes how EA got lazy and just did the same game over and over.

— myVCRstillworks (@myVCRstillworks) May 26, 2023

If one thing’s for certain, the makeup crew will have their hands full trying to get Ferrell to look like Madden. Otherwise, they might end up with a Kevin James’ situation of their own.

MORE: Why is the Madden video game named after John Madden?