Ross to pen Lance Armstrong movie

Gary Ross has signed up to pen the forthcoming Columbia biopic of legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong.

Producer Frank Marshall, who is also rumoured to be directing, confirmed that the Seabiscuit writer will be working on the project in an interview with Risky Biz.

"We knew Gary well from his work on Seabiscuit and thought he'd be perfect for this," he said.

Armstrong famously won seven successive Tour De Frances and successfully battled brain, lung and testicular cancer. The movie will largely be based on the sports star's first autobiography It's Not About The Bike.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Matt Damon have been linked to the lead role, but no casting has been confirmed to date.