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Austin Butler to Play Lance Armstrong in New Biopic from Oscar Talent

Austin Butler is set to headline a new biopic about the controversial cycling icon Lance Armstrong. The film will be directed by Edward Berger and feature a screenplay from Oscar-nominated writer Zach Baylin. The project will chronicle Armstrong's record seven Tour de France wins, his subsequent doping scandal, and his cancer advocacy work through the Livestrong Foundation. The film package is currently being shopped to studio partners by producer Scott Stuber.

Key Points: Austin Butler Cast as Lance Armstrong in New Biopic

  • Austin Butler to star as Lance Armstrong
  • Directed by Edward Berger
  • Script by Oscar-nominated Zach Baylin
  • Chronicles Armstrong's career and doping scandal
  • Project being shopped to studios
2 min read

Austin Butler to play lead in Lance Armstrong biopic

Austin Butler will star as cyclist Lance Armstrong in a biopic directed by Edward Berger, with a script by Oscar-nominated writer Zach Baylin.

"Armstrong is one of the most polarising figures in modern sports history. - The Hollywood Reporter"

Washington, February 7

Austin Butler is attached to headline a new biopic on cycling icon Lance Armstrong, bringing together a package stacked with Academy Award-nominated talent.

The film will be directed by Conclave filmmaker Edward Berger and produced by Scott Stuber, with Oscar-nominated writer Zach Baylin penning the screenplay, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Baylin, whose previous work includes Will Smith-starrer King Richard, will write the script chronicling the life and career of Armstrong, one of the most polarising figures in modern sports history.

Berger will also produce the project alongside Stuber and Nick Nesbit, while Baylin, Josh Glick and Zac Frognowski will serve as executive producers.

The biopic is not being developed under Stuber's United Artists banner. The project predates his pact and the revival of the Amazon MGM-owned label, and is currently being shopped to studio partners. Stuber has acquired Armstrong's life rights for the film, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Armstrong rose to global fame after winning the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, becoming the most recognisable face in professional cycling.

However, his legacy was upended following a 2012 investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which concluded that Armstrong had used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

The findings led to the stripping of his titles. Armstrong denied the allegations for years before admitting to doping in 2013.

Beyond competitive cycling, Armstrong is also closely associated with cancer advocacy. After being diagnosed with testicular cancer, he went on to found the Livestrong Foundation, which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research and patient support.

Butler's upcoming slate includes Michael Mann's 'Heat 2', Joseph Kosinski's 'Miami Vice' and Luca Guadagnino's 'American Psycho'.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a cancer survivor, I have very mixed feelings. Livestrong did incredible work and gave hope to so many, including people here in India. But the man behind it betrayed everyone's trust. It's a complex legacy. 🤔
R
Rohit P
Another Hollywood biopic? Why not make a film on an Indian sports icon with a compelling story? We have so many—Milkha Singh, Mary Kom, P.T. Usha, Dhyan Chand. Our stories need to be told on this scale too!
S
Sarah B
The director and writer combo sounds promising. Edward Berger's work on 'All Quiet on the Western Front' was brilliant. If they handle the moral ambiguity well, this could be a masterpiece. Austin Butler has the intensity for it.
K
Karthik V
The ultimate story of cheating the system and getting caught. It's a lesson in ethics for young athletes everywhere. In India, we see doping scandals too. The film should highlight the damage to clean competitors.
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, I think making a biopic on him gives his story undue importance. He was a fraud who bullied teammates into silence. The real heroes are the cyclists who competed clean and never got the fame. The film should focus on them.
M
Meera T

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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