Kathryn Hahn on Improvising with Nicolas Cage in “Madden” | The Daily Show

What this episode is about

Kathryn Hahn discusses the unpredictability and breadth of her acting career, explaining that roles have revealed themselves one step at a time and expressing gratitude for the chance to inhabit diverse characters across genres, including theater, comedy, and Marvel projects. She also highlights her commitment to fully embodying each role and the joy of creative collaboration.

Key takeaways

• Caught between Marvel mystique and real-world grit, Catherine Han navigates fantasy prestige with conspicuous, grounded presence.
• Her craft flips the script: character insight meets impeccable costume, turning ‘look’ into strategic storytelling.
• From Tangled to Tangents: a mom-turned-indie advocate, her career arc proves ambition thrives on varied terrains.
• Documenting the 'extra 200%': presenteeism, preparation, and playfulness collide to redefine on-set magnetism.
• The 'dirty birdie' persona isn’t vanity—it’s a meta-commentary on performance as moral ambiguity and humor.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Sienna Miller (Guest)
• Christian Bale (Guest)
• Catherine Han (Guest) · 7 min speaking
• Desi (Host) · 1 min speaking
• Nick Cage (Guest)

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 3:00: Desi Lydic, Kathryn Hahn, We're the Millers, The Studio
2. 3:00 – 6:00: Nicholas Cage, Kathryn Hahn, Madden, Desi Lydic
3. 6:00 – 9:00: Nicholas Cage, Christian Bale, Sienna Miller, Kathryn Hahn
4. 9:00 – 10:33: Kathryn Hahn, James Bond, Madden

Notable quotes from "Kathryn Hahn on Improvising with Nicolas Cage in “Madden” | The Daily Show"

• Oh my god, Desi, that's very, very sweet of you. Oh my god, he's he's awesome. I love making that movie. What a peach.

  about Kathryn Hahn · at 0:39

• Of the other and like these parts kind of reveal themselves to me. So, I have there's really no, I had no idea starting off as a theater actor in New York that I would all of a…

  about Marvel · at 1:30

• She kind of grew up with this movie also. So, with Tangled. So, the fact that this all she came with me to Spain while we were shooting it last summer.

  about Tangled · at 2:41

• She's such an amalgamation of so many birds that I think I've met over the years and like doing this job and she's I love that part so much. And I mean again like genius hair and makeup,.

  about The Studio · at 4:18

• You play the movie's about John Madden.

  about John Madden · at 5:18

• Fantastic scenes with Nick Cage. Your relationship in the movie is the heart and soul of the whole thing. What was it like working with Nicholas Cage?

  about Madden · at 6:03

• Was so game like so ready. So right there. Same with Christian Bale. Like the four of us Sienna Miller like the four of us would have a bunch of scenes around some kitchen tables and they were like it they was he would call action and we.

  about Christian Bale · at 7:02

• Sorry, Patson, but Catherine Bond would make an excellent James Bond.

  about James Bond · at 9:52

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Kathryn Hahn — Person · Main guest · 6 mentions · first at 0:00
  Primary interview subject discussing her acting career and new film Madden, and sharing anecdotes about working with other actors and projects.
• Nicholas Cage — Person · Co-star · 5 mentions · first at 5:20
  Co-star in Madden; discussed for his improvisational style and on-screen chemistry with Kathryn Hahn.
  Back to one. We're gonna have to refilm the movie. What? You're in these fantastic scenes with Nick Cage. Your relationship in the movie is the heart and soul of the whole thing. What was it like working with Nicholas Cage?
• Desi Lydic — Person · Host / Interviewer · 4 mentions · first at 0:08
  Interviewer conducting the segment with Kathryn Hahn, asking about her roles, preparation, and experience on Madden and other projects.
  Oh my god, Desi, that's very, very sweet of you. Oh my god, he's he's awesome. I love making that movie. What a peach.
• John Madden — Person · Subject of the film · 1 mention · first at 5:18
  The biographical figure at the center of the film Madden; Kathryn Hahn portrays his wife Virginia Madden.
• Christian Bale — Person · Co-star (referenced) · 2 mentions · first at 7:07
  Mentioned as part of the Madden cast and as an improvisational scene partner during filming.
• David O. Russell — Person · Director (referenced) · 1 mention · first at 5:14
  Director of the film Madden (referenced as 'this David O. Russell movie'), connecting to Kathryn Hahn's role as Virginia Madden.
  She's so fantastic. And now you're in this David O. Russell movie. Yeah.
• Will Ferrell — Person · Referenced colleague · 1 mention · first at 7:41
  Mentioned by Hahn as an actor she has worked with and as someone who makes her break (laugh) quickly.
  You've worked with opposite some incredible actors. Will Frell.
• Sienna Miller — Person · Co-star (referenced) · 2 mentions · first at 7:09
  Mentioned as part of the ensemble cast of Madden and as an improvisational scene partner.
  Exactly. It was like a lot. It was he was so game like so ready. So right there. Same with Christian Bale. Like the four of us Sienna Miller like the four of us would have a bunch of scenes around some kitchen tables and they were like.
• Aubrey Plaza — Person · Referenced colleague · 1 mention · first at 7:39
  Mentioned in a list of other actors Hahn has worked with or knows from the industry.
  You've worked with opposite some incredible actors. Will Frell.
• Amy Poehler — Person · Referenced colleague · 1 mention · first at 7:49
  Mentioned (mis-transcribed as 'Amy Polar') among other comedic actors in Hahn's circle.
  Amy Polar, Aubrey Plaza, Patty Leone.
• Patti LuPone — Person · Referenced colleague · 1 mention · first at 7:49
  Mentioned (mis-transcribed as 'Patty Leone') as part of a roster of performers referenced in the conversation.
  Amy Polar, Aubrey Plaza, Patty Leone.

Companies & orgs

• NFL — Company · Referenced organizational universe · 1 mention · first at 5:30
  Used as a comparison point by Hahn to describe the complexity of joining the NFL cinematic universe for the film Madden.
  And you what? Well, let me ask you, what do you think is a more complicated cinemat cinematic universe to jump into?
• Marvel — Company · Referenced cinematic universe · 2 mentions · first at 1:40
  Mentioned by Hahn when comparing how difficult it was to integrate into the NFL cinematic universe versus Marvel.
• Prada — Company · Referenced brand · 1 mention · first at 5:03
  Mentioned as an example of the high-end fashion associated with a character's look on 'the studio' (personal shopper, lots of Prada).
  A step and a half behind like thinking she was with like where like we were like she's got a personal shopper that comes at lunch like basically like just no soul empty void. Yes. A lot of Prada on top.

Places & events

• Spain — Place · Filming location (referenced) · 3 mentions · first at 2:45
  Referenced as the country where Kathryn Hahn shot Tangled and where her daughter accompanied her during filming.
  This is really thrilling because she kind of grew up with this movie also. So, with Tangled. So, the fact that this all she came with me to Spain while we were shooting it last summer.
• New York, New York — Place · Origin / past work setting (referenced) · 1 mention · first at 1:37
  Referenced as where Kathryn Hahn started as a theater actor, establishing career background context.
  Of the other and like these parts kind of reveal themselves to me. So, I have there's really no, I had no idea starting off as a theater actor in New York that I would all of a…

Media & podcasts

• Madden — Media · Featured film · 3 mentions · first at 5:18
  The new film discussed in the interview — Kathryn Hahn plays Virginia Madden; the film centers on John Madden and features Nicolas Cage.
• The Studio — Media · Referenced TV series / project · 2 mentions · first at 1:16
  Mentioned by Kathryn Hahn as a role/show she played on (referred to as 'the studio') and discussed regarding wardrobe and characterization.
• We're the Millers — Media · Referenced past film · 2 mentions · first at 0:21
  Referenced by the host as a past film Kathryn Hahn appeared in (director friend Rosson directed Hahn in it) to illustrate her versatility.
  Oh, you are such I am such a fan of your work. A good friend of mine got to direct you in the movie We're the Millers. Rosson. And when I asked him about you, here's what he said. He said, If I could only hire one actor to be in.
• Agatha All Along — Media · Referenced past role · 1 mention · first at 1:12
  Mentioned as one of Hahn's notable roles (Agatha) to highlight her work in diverse genres including Marvel-related work.
  You really, but I when I think about your career and all of the different roles that you've played and all the different genres from Revolutionary Road to Anchor Man to Step Brothers to Agatha.
• Tangled — Media · Referenced past film · 1 mention · first at 2:43
  Mentioned as a project Kathryn Hahn worked on that her daughter grew up with and that contributed to 'cool mom' credit.
• James Bond — Character · Cultural reference / hypothetical role · 2 mentions · first at 9:42
  Referenced jokingly as a role Kathryn Hahn said she was 'in talks' for in the interview — used as an example of roles she'd take on.
• Step Brothers — Media · Referenced past film · 1 mention · first at 1:10
  Mentioned among Kathryn Hahn's varied filmography to demonstrate her comedic background and range.
  You really, but I when I think about your career and all of the different roles that you've played and all the different genres from Revolutionary Road to Anchor Man to Step Brothers to Agatha.
• Anchorman — Media · Referenced past film/genre · 1 mention · first at 1:10
  Referenced in passing as one of the genres/projects in Kathryn Hahn's varied career (spoken as 'Anchor Man').
  You really, but I when I think about your career and all of the different roles that you've played and all the different genres from Revolutionary Road to Anchor Man to Step Brothers to Agatha.
• Revolutionary Road — Media · Referenced past film · 1 mention · first at 1:10
  Named to illustrate Kathryn Hahn's range, including dramatic roles earlier in her career.
  Your career and all of the different roles that you've played and all the different genres from Revolutionary Road to Anchor Man to Step Brothers to Agatha all along, the…

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 Hi. Oh my god. QUEEN CATHERINE IS HERE. OH, THAT GU. She shall now be called queen.

0:08 Oh, we are so happy to have you here. Everyone in this building all week was like Catherine Han is here.

0:16 The sweetest. Oh, you are such I am such a fan of your work. A good friend of mine got to direct you in the movie We're the Millers. Rosson. And when I asked him about you, here's what he said. He said, "If I could only hire one actor to be in everything I do from here till eternity, it would be Katherine because there's nothing she can't do." And I think that's so true.

0:39 Oh my god, Desi, that's very, very sweet of you. Oh my god, he's he's awesome. I love making that movie. What a peach.

0:47 Oh god. Well, I guess my first question is, what does it feel like to be so perfect in every single role?

0:54 I'm so glad that you asked me that. Um, it's exhausting, right? Sure. Nobody understands.

1:00 I'm sure I feel alone. You really, but I when I think about your career and all of the different roles that you've played and all the different genres from Revolutionary Road to Anchor Man to Step Brothers to Agatha all along, the studio, what is it that what is it that you look for when you're seeking your next role? I mean, I I wish I could say there was some master plan, but it really is like one foot in front of the other and like these these parts kind of reveal themselves to me. So, I have there's really no, you know, I had no idea starting off as a theater actor in New York that I would all of a sudden be in a Marvel show. Like, it's all bonkers to me. Nuts. So, like there really isn't like any plan in place.

1:49 It's kind of just unfolded the way it has. So, I have no idea. Like I just feel very grateful that I've been able to like to play all these different parts. It's kind of why I wanted to be an actor in the first place anyway.

2:00 Well, and it's what it's what you do with it. Every every role that you play, it feels like you commit 200% and you were so present. You were so fully there.

2:07 My my daughter that's my daughter said when I got Mother Gothol, she was like, "Mom, you've got to give this 100%." SHE WAS SO

2:18 I know. Exactly. She was like, "Don't screw this up for me." basically like this is your shot, mom. Yeah. So, I'm feeling a lot of pressure.

2:25 I love Is this the first thing that like Don't your kids think that what you do is so cool?

2:30 Well, they haven't been able to see much of what I've done, right? So, cuz you're a dirty birdie.

2:36 Cuz I'm a dirty birdie. But this is so this this is really thrilling because she kind of grew up with this movie also. So, with Tangled. So, the fact that this all she came with me to Spain while we were shooting it last summer. So the fact that we got to spend that time together and do this is like feel very very very grateful.

2:54 Oh, I love that she's the stage mom. Just like she's my manager basically. She was like you need to do a small indie horror film after this mom. Like I'm not She was like I was like you're right.

3:05 You're hired. No, I know. She's hired. She knows. So are you when does that when does that come out? Are you done filming that?

3:11 Done filming it. It does. It comes out in March of 2028. So we've got we've definitely got some time. But I'm so excited for it. Oh god, I can't wait. That's such an It's so cool when you get to do something that your kids approve of. You're suddenly interested.

3:25 I know. Believe me, because it's not there's a lot of like thuds in the house. Like there's not a lot of laugh lines. Like there's a lot of eye rolling. There's a lot of like just walking by me. So this is this feels like I've got some cool some cool.

3:39 You got cool mom credit. Yeah, just a little bit. I would I would they won't let me get too uh too cocky in any way. How do you we can Can we just talk about your role on the studio? You if you haven't seen Have you all seen the studio?

3:53 Nice. You're a comedic powerhouse. Oh god. How do you go about preparing for for a role like that? That character, it's like a look really walks in the room before she

4:07 listen. That's it. Does half the work for me. All I have to do is put that wig on and those clothes and that like that's basically who she is. It's amazing. No, they wrote someone who's so rad. She's such an amalgamation of so many birds that I think I've met over the years and like doing this job and she's I love that part so much. And I mean again like genius hair and makeup, amazing costume. So I I it's like I really feel like most of my job is done for me when I kind of walk onto the stage

4:37 in those clothes. Did you have a say in what the look would be? Were you sure that you were

4:41 Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We all I mean at first she was written as kind of like the antagonist and we kind of the more like the the more we kind of played with her kind of like trying to keep her finger on the pulse always being kind of a step and a half behind like thinking she was with like where like we were like she's got a personal shopper that comes at lunch like basically like just no soul empty void. Yes. A lot of Prada on top.

5:08 So much kiss. Just head to toe. Just kiss. A lot of fear of God. Just like nonstop.

5:14 She's so fantastic. And now you're in this David O. Russell movie. Yeah. You play the movie's about John Madden. You play his wife Virginia Madden.

5:22 Yes. And you what? Well, let me ask you, what do you think is a more complicated cinemat cinematic universe to jump into? Marvel or the NFL?

5:31 This is a really really solid question. 100% NFL. I still it's a a completely different language to me. Yeah. Yeah.

5:39 How did that How do you prepare for a role like that? She's an actual person. Did you get to meet Virginia?

5:44 I did not meet her, but she did. I guess she saw the movie and her one note was that she didn't drop an Fbomb until she was 42. And I definitely start. So I was like, Virginia, I'm sorry again. Dirty birdie.

5:59 Back to one. We're gonna have to refilm the movie. What? You're in these fantastic scenes with Nick Cage. Your relationship in the movie is the heart and soul of the whole thing. What was it like working with Nicholas Cage?

6:11 I I we just had the premiere last week and it was honestly the first time I'd ever seen him without the prosthetics on. So, it was like meeting him for the first time. Yeah. I like the entire He was always there before we got to work after we wrapped. So, he was I never saw him without the prosthetics on. So, it was really really sweet to finally meet him in person.

6:28 I'm Catherine. I was like, "Hi, I played your wife." I was like such a sweetheart. He's he's just an open heart in this movie. I love his performance so much.

6:37 He's the two of you are so good. I love them as a couple. I really do. And she's such a fierce firecracker of a of a woman, Virginia. So, it was a pleasure. Yeah.

6:48 What is it? You're you're so accustomed to improvising on set. Did you improv with Nick Cage? And what would that even be like? Is it like is he there to be playful or is it like trying to tame a wild animal?

7:00 Exactly. It was like a lot. It was he was so game like so so ready. So right there. Same with Christian Bale. Like the four of us Sienna Miller like the four of us would have a bunch of scenes around around some kitchen tables and they were like it they was he would call action and we just I never wanted to end I never wanted to get out of the vibe of those scenes because it was just like such such creative energy happening. Yeah. They're all such incredible improvisers. It's It's a dream cast. You, Christian Bale, Nick Cage, Sienna Miller, John Melany, who's in it.

7:37 Yeah. Oh, yeah. An awesome group. You've worked with opposite some incredible actors. Will Frell.

7:43 Yes. Uh Nick Cage, and Little Unknown Will Ferrell? Little Everheard of Upcomer.

7:49 Uh Amy Polar, Aubrey Plaza, Patty Leone. Who makes you break the quickest? Oh, Frell for 100%. There's no enhanced. His he is he is tuned into something like that no one else like his brain is like such an open you cannot believe what comes out of his mouth. You're like how are you that like just in the He's amazing.

8:15 Sometimes he just shows up on screen. He doesn't say a word and I just I'm in tears.

8:20 Exactly. No one that mug you can't help it. It's like the less he does the funnier it is.

8:25 Oh my god. Well, you can go toe-to-toe with the best of them, that's for sure. What? You've done so so many different roles, so many genres. Is there anything that you're dying to do that you haven't done yet?

8:37 Well, I think if my daughter would have any say, it' be a horror movie. So, I think I that's what I have to do. That's what she's telling me to do next is a horror.

8:44 Yeah. No, I've got Listen, whatever my manager says, my 17-year-old manager daughter, I've got to do it. She's like a small indie horror. I'm like, all right. But that would be I mean, who knows? I have no idea, Desi. Like, it's been you every part has been so like I just feel so grateful for every gig that's come this way. So, I'm very excited to see whatever is next. We'll see.

9:05 You deserve it all. Well, I here's a here's a quick pitch for your horror movie. We could just do a film about the last 10 years,

9:14 politically speaking, and that would be the most terrifying thing. But one wouldn't believe it. No, we would not believe. People would say that we made the There's It's not possible.

9:24 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, a horror movie. It's happening now. The movie just got green lit.

9:29 Terrifying. Scariest thing you'll see. Oh god. All year. Can you rewrite a happy ending?

9:34 No. We're gonna We'll have to try because it's going to get real dark real fast.

9:39 Yeah, exactly. Oh my god. WHAT HAPPY ENDING? WAIT, HAVE you considered playing James Bond?

9:44 Yes, I have. I'm in talks. Great. Um, we'll see. I can't say anything, but we we're we know we don't know yet, but I'm definitely in talks.

9:52 I mean, sorry, Patson, but Catherine Bond would make an excellent James Bond. You would watch Katherine.

10:01 Okay, well, we settled that. I would I would watch you in James Bond. I would watch you in a horror movie. I'll watch you in anything you do. You are just remarkable. Thank you for being on the movie.

10:12 Oh my god. Amazing. Madden will be in flight theater November 18th. CATHERINE HAN

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Kathryn Hahn on Improvising with Nicolas Cage in “Madden” | The Daily Show"?

Sienna Miller (Guest), Christian Bale (Guest), Catherine Han (Guest), Desi (Host), Nick Cage (Guest).

What is "Kathryn Hahn on Improvising with Nicolas Cage in “Madden” | The Daily Show" about?

Kathryn Hahn discusses the unpredictability and breadth of her acting career, explaining that roles have revealed themselves one step at a time and expressing gratitude for the chance to inhabit diverse characters across genres, including theater, comedy, and Marvel projects. She also highlights her commitment to fully embodying each role and the joy of creative collaboration.

What is mentioned in this The Daily Show episode?

25 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Kathryn Hahn, Madden, Nicholas Cage, Desi Lydic, John Madden, The Studio. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Kathryn Hahn on Improvising with Nicolas Cage in “Madden” | The Daily Show"?

The episode runs 11 min; the transcript is about 2,109 words in 53 timestamped sections.

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