Slowly but surely that movie based on Lance Armstrong's “It's Not About the Bike” is making its way onto the screen.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Sony's Columbia Pictures division is looking for a treatment that's more like the personal drama of “Raging Bull” than a bicycling story that would be reminiscent to the inspirational “Chariots of Fire.”
Producer Frank Marshall, currently filming another sequel to the “Bourne Identity” and in pre-production for sequels to “Indiana Jones” and “Jurassic Park,” maintains the Armstrong film won't be a puff piece. “This isn't going to be Lance the beauty queen,” he told the Journal.
Based on Armstrong's book “It's Not About the Bike,” it's unclear how far the filmmakers can take the movie before it alienates the film's subject.
Yes, Armstrong rose from a humble Texas background to the elite of world cyclists, winning a record seven Tours de France after succeeding in his legendary battle against cancer. But he also has been accused of blood doping, he divorced his wife and broke up with singer Sheryl Crow, and has had falling outs with many associates in and out of the cycling world.
More about the film from Friday's article (not available online, unless you subscribe to WSJ):
Scott Silver, the writer for Eminem's “8-Mile,” has delivered a draft script. The doping accusations and latter Tour victories play a role, but the divorce doesn't enter the picture.
Matt Damon, the star of the Bourne series, has the right of first refusal for the role of Armstrong. No mention is made of Jake Gyllenhaal, who has been hanging out with Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey and also has been speculated as a contender for the role.
Columbia production president Matt Tolmach, who worked on the film “Ali”, is overseeing the Armstrong movie. Tolmach is himself a cyclist.
The film has no budget, yet. The Journal mentions recent biopics that did well and not so well.
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