Austin Butler, known for his role in "Elvis" and an Oscar nominee, is set to portray the controversial cycling legend Lance Armstrong in a new film. Armstrong, whose illustrious racing career was ultimately tarnished by a significant doping scandal, will be the subject of this upcoming cinematic endeavor. The project boasts an impressive team, with Edward Berger, the acclaimed director behind "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "Conclave," at the helm.

The film is being produced by Scott Stuber, the former Netflix film chief who has since moved to United Artists. Sources indicate that the project has sparked an intense bidding war among major studios and streaming platforms, vying for the rights. While Stuber now holds a first-look deal with Amazon-owned United Artists, this particular film was initiated before the pact was signed, making the rights highly contested and available for acquisition.

This is not the first time Lance Armstrong's compelling and dramatic story has been brought to the screen. In 2015, Ben Foster played the road racing cyclist in "The Program," a drama that did not achieve widespread viewership upon its release. A significant distinction for the new film is that Scott Stuber has successfully secured Armstrong’s life rights, a crucial element that was not in place for the earlier adaptation, potentially allowing for a more in-depth and authorized portrayal.

The screenplay for the Armstrong film will be penned by Zach Baylin, who earned recognition for his work on "King Richard." Alongside Stuber, Nick Nesbit will also serve as a producer. Austin Butler has been active recently, having starred in Darren Aronofsky’s "Caught Stealing" and is next slated to appear in the crime drama "Enemies" opposite Jeremy Allen White. Edward Berger's directorial portfolio includes "Ballad of a Small Player," a film exploring a gambling addict starring Colin Farrell, and he is also set to direct an adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel "The Riders," with Brad Pitt cast in the lead role.

The key individuals involved are represented by prominent agencies: Austin Butler by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Sloane Offfer Weber Dern; Edward Berger by CAA, Range Media Partners, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein; and Zach Baylin by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.