J.J. Abrams, Bradley Cooper Working on Lance Armstrong Biopic?
by Shannon Keirnan
Will Bradley Cooper be staring in a Lance Armstrong biopic?
It certainly seems that way. The Oscar-nominated “Silver Linings Playbook” actor had previously expressed an interest in playing the shamed cyclist.
“I would be interested in that. I think he’s fascinating. What a fascinating character,” he told the BBC.
"I remember Matt Damon was going to do his autobiography at one point years ago. I remember thinking, that would be a great character, I'd love to play that character. I would love to do something, I think he's pretty fascinating."
Cooper may have gotten his wish.
Producer J.J. Abrams, who most recently has made headlines for getting into bed with Disney to create the newest “Star Wars,” says that Cooper e-mailed him.
“We have been talking,” the “Star Trek” director said.
Abrams and his production company, Bad Robot, secured the screen rights to the proposed Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong, a tell-all written by New York Times sportswriter Juliet Macur. The book will follow Armstrong’s career and the recent doping scandal that stripped the much-admired cyclist of his seven Tour de France titles.
Other names have been suggested for the role, including Matt Damon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender and Christian Bale.
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency director Travis Tygart has said that Armstrong has until February 6th to confess under oath to his transgressions. If he fails to do so, his current lifetime ban in competitive sports will be irreversible.
What do you think of the casting? Is Cooper right for the role?