Austin Butler, rising Hollywood star, tipped to play Lance Armstrong, the fallen cycling champion

After “King” Elvis Presley, he could play the “Boss” of cycling. Austin Butler should continue his career with another great figure from his country, the United States. If we are to believe the American media Deadlinethe young Hollywood star could climb the passes of the Tour de France to play the fallen American cycling champion, Lance Armstrong. A first biopic, shot as an investigative film by Stephen Frears, was released in 2015. We do not yet know the artistic intention of director Edward Berger but we know the ties of friendship between producer Scott Stuber and Lance Armstrong. Will he exert pressure on the scenario in order to rehabilitate the former seven-time winner of the Tour de France, deprived of all his titles for doping? For the moment this question remains unanswered.

Director Edward Berger, known for Conclave will therefore be in charge and the screenplay will be written by Zach Baylin (King Richard). Production will be handled by Scott Stuber, who is not making his first biopic (Bob Marley : One Love et Bruce Springsteen : Deliver Me From Nowhere ) and Nick Nesbit, in collaboration with Edward Berger.

Austin Butler, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 work, could continue to shine in the world of biographical cinema. He also recently starred in Caught Stealing (2025)a film directed by Darren Aronofsky, and it will soon be showing in Enemiesa crime drama starring Jeremy Allen White. The Butler-Berger duo will also find themselves on a science fiction project, The Barrier, planned for 2027.

The fall of a champion

The story of the “Boss”, marked by historic victories and terrible decline, fascinates Hollywood. Armstrong, after overcoming cancer, became a cycling legend by winning the Tour de France seven consecutive times between 1999 and 2005. However, his legacy was tarnished when he admitted, after years of denials, to having resorted to doping, thus ending his career. According to DeadlineScott Stuber and Armstrong have a cordial relationship. This explains why the fallen cyclist could transfer for the first time the image rights which protect him.