Who Should Play Lance Armstrong on the Big Screen?
Filed under: Drama, Sports, Deals, RumorMonger
The speedy cyclist may have had his own chances to shine on the big screen, most notably when he shamed Vince Vaughn's Peter La Fleur in Dodgeball, but it's time for Lance Armstrong to get his biopic. The Hollywood Reporter posts in a surprisingly short news blip that the athlete's cinematic story might finally be coming out of gestation. An unnamed writer "well-versed in sports comeback stories" has signed on, and production could kick into gear early next year.It's about time. There's only so many times one can watch Breaking Away before they want something new, and Armstrong's story is not only ripe for a bio, it's also a ridiculously recognizable story. There aren't many athletes who become as recognizable outside their sport as the cancer-beating cyclist. He beat the disease out of his testicles, lungs, abdomen, and brain, and went on to break records and win the epic Tour de France seven consecutive years.
Almost three years ago, Jake Gyllenhaal was seen all over the place with Armstrong, and it soon came out that Sony was quietly developing a feature and Jake wanted to nab the part. But three years is a long time, and Jake's busy with Persian life, so I imagine the casting door is wide open. So who should play Lance? Is Mr. Gyllenhaal right for the part, or is someone else better suited to battle cancer and kick arse in the Tour?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-11-2009 @ 1:32PM
kelly said...
Why would they make a movie about him? He dumped his first wife after she helped him thru cancer. Then he dumps his girlfriend Sheryl crow right after she finds out she has cancer ( not that I have any real care for her one way or the other). Then the only thing he is really known for is riding a bike very fast and well. What is there to make a movie about. Cripe, make a movie out of a Tim Dorsey or Carl Haissaan Book. It would be FAR more entertaining and worth going to see.
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6-11-2009 @ 1:40PM
Patty said...
I agree, Kelly. I have no interest in the guy. Yeah, he had cancer. Lots of people do. I wonder how long til he dumps this wife. I wonder how many kids he'll keep on having who don't even know him.
6-12-2009 @ 12:27PM
Kim said...
You are such an idiot. Get your facts straight before you comment. 90% of your commentary is incorrect. fool.
6-14-2009 @ 9:50AM
Kelly said...
What facts are wrong, He split with his Wife AFTER the cancer was in remission, He split with Sheryl Crow AFTER she was diagnosed, AND a story by CARL HIASSAAN or Tim Dorsey would be far more entertaining and worth seeing.
There is nothing inspiring about a rich person who beats cancer. They have the means to not have to worry about where the money is going to come from to pay for it all. The average Joe off the street who works for a living who gets it or has to quit work to care for a spouse and still keep everything together. Thats inspiring.
So before you go calling people names, look in the mirror to see the real idiot here.
6-11-2009 @ 2:01PM
pete said...
I reckon Robert Downey Jr. would be a good bet - both of taken copies amounts of pharmaceutical substances - it's just one of them is exceptional good at making sure when he has to piss in a pot there is no trace. And the other one would be too busy playing Tony Stark !
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6-11-2009 @ 2:10PM
James said...
I think Patrick Wilson would be a great Armstrong. He bares a pretty good resemblance, and he's an incredibly talented actor.
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6-13-2009 @ 6:28PM
Adam said...
Awful idea for a movie. Lance Armstrong cheated. It will come out eventually. Yeah the guy had cancer and beat it, but the truth is he's really a scumbag and has that reputation in and around Austin. I would not go see this movie.
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6-11-2009 @ 2:58PM
LiqwidZero said...
What about Paul Bettany? I think he could pull the role off pretty well.
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6-11-2009 @ 5:19PM
Bob Saget said...
This movie seems unnecessary but I like someone mentioning Paul Bettany. I also think Mathew Lillard would be a good choice (yes I'm being serious)
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6-11-2009 @ 6:08PM
freemarketmarx said...
I'll never understand the ceaseless Lance Armstrong hatred. Yes, by some accounts the man is a bit of a douchebag in person, but who cares? He's not my best friend, he's an athlete. And as an athlete he's an impressive success story. He came back from the brink of death to win one of the world's most challenging sporting events seven times in succession. And he raised the profile of cycling in the United States and has raised countless millions for cancer research.
I'm not saying the man's a squeaky-clean hero, but in the world of athletics, where steroid abuse and criminality are so common among the high-profile, Lance is practically Mother Teresa.
The possibility exists that he cheated. But I find that dubious. He is almost certainly the most tested cyclist in the history of the sport. Possibly the most tested athlete in the world.
"Why would they make a movie about him? He dumped his first wife after she helped him thru cancer."
Common misconception. He met his first wife after he'd already recovered from cancer.
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7-14-2009 @ 1:14PM
Jimmy T said...
If Lance wants to play himself, there isn't a reason he shouldn't! Here is a cool article about the man himself: http://www.mindreign.com/en/mindshare/Sports/Tour-de-Lance/sl40763392bp315cpp10pn1.html
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