Armstrong film moves a step closer to reality

Various Hollywood websites and blogs are reporting the film of Lance Armstrong's life story which has spent the last three years in “development hell” has moved closer to becoming a reality with the appointment of a writer to the project.

Film industry blog Risky business says that Gary Ross whose writing credits include Big, Dave, Mr. Baseball and Lassie – he also directed Sea Biscuit, the film about the legendary horse and Pleasantville, has been given the Armstrong gig. Ross will be charged with turning Lance's first book, It's not about the bike into a film.

The book was a world-wide bestseller and made Armstrong a household name in the US and helped turn him into the global superstar he is today, it charts his journey from difficult childhood through his breakthrough as a professional bike rider, his marriage, cancer diagnosis, recovery and comeback to win the 1999 Tour de France. He's done plenty since then, so if all goes well plenty of material for a sequel and the recreation of Lance's cameo appearance in Dodgeball.

According to the production team behind the project it was Armstrong's decision to come out of retirement which re-invigorated the project bringing it a step closer to cinemas near you some time in the next two years.

So, the burning question: who will play Lance? Jake Gyllenhaal was reportedly interested in playing the Texan and he spent time with him, but that came to nothing – Matt Damon is apparently the current name in the frame although nobody has officially been cast in the lead role.

Who do you think should play lance in a film of his life?