Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler has been confirmed to take on the challenging role of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong in a highly anticipated big-screen biopic. The project, which has reportedly ignited a fierce bidding war among Hollywood studios, is set to be directed by Edward Berger, known for his work on Conclave, with Zach Baylin, the writer behind King Richard, penning the script.
Hollywood Frenzy and Creative Team
According to industry reports from Deadline, the film package has generated a "frenzied" response in Tinseltown, with multiple studios vying for the rights. Producer Scott Stuber, who recently worked on Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, has been instrumental in securing Armstrong's life rights after prolonged negotiations, culminating in a finalised agreement. Armstrong will be involved in the production but will not receive a producing credit, ensuring his input while maintaining creative distance.
Vision for the Film
The filmmakers aim to craft a narrative that blends the high-octane drama of racing films like F1 with the intense, character-driven storytelling of The Wolf of Wall Street. This approach follows the success of Brad Pitt's racing drama, which recently garnered four Oscar nominations, including a surprise best picture nod, highlighting the commercial and critical potential of such projects.
Lance Armstrong's Controversial Legacy
Lance Armstrong rose to international fame by winning the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1998 to 2005, becoming a symbol of athletic prowess and resilience. However, his legacy was tarnished in 2012 when an investigation revealed his use of performance-enhancing drugs, leading to the stripping of his titles and a lifetime ban from professional cycling. His story has been told before in Stephen Frears' 2015 drama The Program, starring Ben Foster, but that film underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw describing it as "workmanlike" in a three-star assessment.
Austin Butler's Rising Career
Since earning a best actor nomination for his portrayal of Elvis Presley, Austin Butler has maintained a busy schedule, starring in films such as The Bikeriders, Eddington, Dune: Part Two, and Caught Stealing. He is also attached to play Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino's adaptation of American Psycho and will next appear in the crime thriller Enemies alongside Jeremy Allen White, showcasing his versatility and commitment to diverse roles.
Director and Writer Profiles
Edward Berger, following the critical and commercial success of Conclave, has directed the Netflix drama Ballad of a Small Player starring Colin Farrell and recently began filming an adaptation of Tim Winton's acclaimed novel The Riders with Brad Pitt. Zach Baylin, in addition to writing the Oscar-nominated script for King Richard, has credits including Creed III, Gran Turismo, Bob Marley: One Love, and the recent Netflix series Black Rabbit, bringing a wealth of experience to the project.
This biopic promises to delve deep into the complexities of Armstrong's rise and fall, offering a fresh cinematic perspective on one of sports' most controversial figures, with a talented team poised to capture the drama and intrigue of his story.
