Development Director
Stephen Frears had the idea to make a film about Lance Armstrong after reading a review of
Tyler Hamilton's book
The Secret Race. Unable to acquire the rights for Hamilton's book, he settled on Walsh's
Seven Deadly Sins instead. Frears turned to screenwriter
John Hodge to write the script, partly because of Hodge's experience as a doctor. Hodge has said that he based his screenplay primarily on
Seven Deadly Sins, in addition to other journalism and affidavits from cyclists. Hodge says that he ruled out using Armstrong's own accounts of his behavior during this period, and that scenes shown from Armstrong's perspective are fiction.
Casting Lee Pace joined the cast November 2013.
Dustin Hoffman joined the cast December 2013. To better understand his role, Foster took performance-enhancing drugs while shooting the film.
Filming Principal photography began October 2013. ==Reception==