Gyllenhaal to play Armstrong?

[Bluetree]

From the Cycling News:

Gyllenhaal to play Armstrong in Lance biopic
By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor
The choice of which Hollywood star will play Lance Armstrong in the long-rumored biopic of the seven-time Tour de France winner was reportedly leaked by Armstrong while talking to ESPN. Jake Gyllenhaal, the co-star of the film Brokeback Mountain has apparently been chosen, according to multiple entertainment news sources.



Umm... Did anyone else beside me picture Gyllenhaal (Lance) talking to his bike, "I just can't quit you, man!"

I can't see it, but maybe someone else does. Is there another actor you would rather see play Lance?

[Hetty]

Hmm I can't picture Jake as Lance either - he's cute but just not lean enough and too much dark hair!

I'm thinking Christian Bale would fit the bill.

My SO objected to the pic I posted so I had to remove it!!! I was merely admiring his muscle definition as a qualified sports scientist!

[Tri Girl]

Why can't Lance play Lance? He looks like himself, knows himself, and he's better eye candy than anyone else I can think of. Plus, he's not a bad actor- I thought he was great hosting the ESPY's.

tsk..tsk...tsk :( you just can't replicate the greatness of Lance no matter how hard you try. Probably wouldn't see it because I just wouldn't buy any actors portrayal of him...

[Jo-n-NY]

hmmmmm, I thought I read recently Matthew Maconally or something like that is playing the part. At first it was suppose to be Matt Damon, but he according to where ever I read this, maybe roadbiker, he has too much on his platter right now so had to decline.

Did anyone else read this? and feel free to correct my spelling or if I didn't get his name correct.

~ JoAnn

[RoadRaven]

Hmmm... not sure who should play Lance, and though Christian looks quite yummy in that pic (despite those grody gruts *Rave shudders* )... I wonder if either Jake or Christian, or Matt or Matthew have cycling muscles in their legs. This movie will be watched by thousands of cyclists who know Lance's legs well and what a producer might deem is a seemingly insignificant detail like that will be noticed and critiqued loudly.

I agree... why doesn't Lance play Lance - he delivered a well-timed and droll little cameo on DodgeBall...

[Cassandra_Cain]

I wouldn't want lance to play lance. If he did, then I couldn't imagine it being a serious or semi-objective look at his life.

My inclination is to think this piece will treat him more as a saint and infalliable. I've enjoyed some of the books that have taken a more realistic look at the guy, for the great things he has done, on and off the bike, as well as his not so nice side - like Lance Armstrong's War.

As for Jake - well he was actually at the TDF w/Lance. Apparently he is also a buddy of Matt M. So perhaps that's why those two are being mentioned?

[are_you_stinky?]

Apparently Jake G. and Matt M. are helping Lance train for the upcoming NYC marathon...

[RoadRaven]

OK... showing my ignorance to the world... I hadn't registered Jake or Matt's names properly...

They would be good choices I guess (can they act?)

And good point Cassandra - with Lance one wonders how "objective" it would be - although I suspect objectivity will be hard to maintain whoever plays the part and whoever directs and produces it...

[Tri Girl]

I've enjoyed some of the books that have taken a more realistic look at the guy, for the great things he has done, on and off the bike, as well as his not so nice side - like Lance Armstrong's War.


I agree. I just read Lance Armstrong's War and loved it. Really showed that he can be an a** just like the rest of us sometimes. It strangely made me like him more. Made him more real I guess.

[chickwhorips]

whoa! i'm really out of the loop. didn't even know there was a movie coming out about lance.

and still haven't seen brokeback mountain. movie theater? what's that again? :eek:

[CyclChyk]

Well I guess my theory that Jake and Heath would be type cast after Brokeback Mountain was off base (can't even bring myself to watch the whole movie):eek: .

....... Lucky for Jake.

[Kalidurga]

I'm sorry, I just can't see Jake as Lance. To me, he'll always be Donnie Darko...




My inclination is to think this piece will treat him more as a saint and infalliable. I've enjoyed some of the books that have taken a more realistic look at the guy, for the great things he has done, on and off the bike, as well as his not so nice side - like Lance Armstrong's War.


I'm also not sure I want to see a movie about Lance. There really are not many movies out there that are factual and realistic. The one's that are flop at the box-office because that's not what people want to see. A documentary on Lance is one thing, but a regular flick with some well-known actor portraying the drama of his struggles and triumphs on the bike? Somehow I think I'd be choking on my popcorn.

[massbikebabe]

Matt Damon, Matt Damon, Matt Damon, (insert a little drool here and not because I stroked)! He ran by me in Cambridge last year and I haven't been the same since...he even smiled and said Hi...made me feel like a schoolgirl.
I am a nurse and a nurse practitioner, you can believe me when I tell you Matt D has the legs to play Lance!!!!! :o



karen

[SouthernBelle]

Matthew McConaughey, although a friend and fellow Texan, is older than Lance. I have read that Jake is riding with Lance and Matty cause the role is his.

But who knows??

[Mags...]

I've seen Jake (pretty sure it was him) twice in a women's magazine, photographed while riding his bike. Fully kitted out in authentic cycle gear, looking a little tatty like they were worn regularly, on a roadie. Not just heading down for a latté either, he was riding with a couple of mates, going for a bunch ride.

Maybe he's got the part because he can and does actually ride a road bike...