belfasttelegraph

Tuesday 21 May 2013

Hollywood plans Armstrong biopic

Fallen cycling idol Lance Armstrong has already had the Oprah treatment - now he is heading for the silver screen.

Paramount Pictures and JJ Abrams' production company, Bad Robot, are planning a biopic about the disgraced sportsman, a studio spokeswoman said.

They have secured the rights to New York Times reporter Juliet Macur's forthcoming book Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong, due out in June. Ms Macur covered the seven-time Tour de France winner for over a decade.

No director, writer, star or start date has been set.

In a two-part interview with TV mogul Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong admitted using performance-enhancing drugs to reach his historic victories, after defiantly denying it for years.

The International Olympic Committee stripped him of his 2000 bronze medal this week.

In part two of the interview shown today, Armstrong said the most humbling moment in his doping scandal was being forced to step aside from the Livestrong charity he founded.

He described the anguish of losing long-time sponsors like Nike and Trek, among others, but he said Livestrong, a cancer-fighting foundation, was like "my sixth child".

"And to make that decision to step aside, it was big," he said. "It was the best thing for the organisation, but it hurt like hell."

Latest Entertainment News

Latest Music News

Latest Film & TV News

Latest Eating Out News

Horoscopes

Your Horoscopes by Russell Grant

Gemini:

Pursuing an unusual goal is exhilarating. In the past, you were taken to task for being a rebel. Now people are expressing admiration for your dreams. You're an inspiration to those who aren't enamoured with the status quo. If you have a chance to learn a foreign language, take it. Mastering this tongue will pave the way for an exciting trip. You have to admit, you've grown tired of the old routine. It's time to strike in a new direction.More