Austin Butler Cast as Lance Armstrong in Biopic from Edward Berger

Courtesy of Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images.

Austin Butler is confirmed to take on the role of infamous cycling icon Lance Armstrong in a new biographical feature from ‘Conclave’ director Edward Berger and ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’ producer Scott Stuber.

The project’s script is being written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Zach Baylin, known for King Richard, which starred Will Smith. Berger will also produce the film alongside Stuber and Nick Nesbit, with Baylin, Josh Glick, and Zac Frognowski serving as executive producers.

The Armstrong biopic is not part of Stuber’s United Artists deal, as the project was in development prior to his agreement and the relaunch of the Amazon MGM-owned label. As a result, the film package is currently being taken out to studios in search of a distribution partner. Stuber has secured Armstrong’s life rights for the project.

Armstrong rose to global fame by winning the Tour de France a record seven times in a row, becoming the most recognizable figure in the sport. That legacy unraveled in 2012, when the United States Anti-Doping Agency concluded an investigation determining that Armstrong had used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career, leading to the loss of his titles. After years of denying the allegations, Armstrong publicly admitted to doping in 2013.

Beyond cycling, Armstrong became closely associated with cancer awareness and advocacy. After surviving testicular cancer, he founded the Livestrong Foundation, which has since 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 upcoming adaptation of ‘American Psycho.’

Berger most recently directed the Netflix drama ‘The Ballad of a Small Player’ and is currently shooting the A24 feature ‘The Riders,’ starring Brad Pitt.

Stuber, meanwhile, is nominated for the Academy Award for best picture for his work producing Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein.’


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