'Dodgeball' Sequel − Good For Humanity & Lance Armstrong, Too?
Let the rehabilitation of Lance Armstrong begin? The Hollywood Reporter reports that Ben Stiller and his producing partner Stuart Cornfeld have commissioned screenwriter Clay Tarver to write a sequel to Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and I think it could be a key public-relations opportunity for the disgraced Tour de France cyclist.
If your memory needs recycling (ba-dump-bump!), Armstrong appears in a key cameo in the movie, where Vince Vaughn's character, Average Joe's Gym owner Peter La Fleur is about to quit his underdog team and Armstrong shames him into reconsidering.
In the aftermath of Armstrong's doping scandal, that scene looks ironic and tragic today. But...America loves comeback stories, and if the former champion would be willing to take it on the chin comedically, I bet he could make a little progress in rehabilitating his tarnished image post-Oprah.
The sequel is supposed to be about Vaughn's character and Stiller's character, White Goodman from Globo Gym, teaming up to battle "an even bigger threat," as the publication reported. And Armstrong's cameo could be as simple as having him seek redemption on La Fleur's team or play for one of the competitors that Average Joe's faces. Either way, he should get beaned real good in a creative elimination scene.
Even better: an encounter between La Fleur and Armstrong that would reference the first cameo. Once again, Armstrong would have to agree to take it on the chin. That could be deep and cathartic in a comedic way.
It would definitely be more effective than drumming for the reggae band Lance Herbstrong, which Armstrong did on April 20 at the Austin Reggae Festival:
Give The Drummer Some...Redemption
While we're on the subject of returning Dodgeball characters, Jason Bateman's loopy ESPN 8 — The Ocho! — color commentator Pepper Brooks is a must.
More on Lance Armstrong and Dodgeball:
Lance Armstrong Dodgeball Cameo Looks Pathetic After NY Times Doping Report
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Comments
Perhaps if he didn't face such medical adversity, I would think he was wack, but he probably, like I do, uses these medicines to help heal his body that was ravaged with cancer.....so it was against the "rules".....but do any of the contestants he beat want to argue that he should not be able to compete because he used these natural medicines? I doubt it. Anyone who thinks Lance Armstrong had an "unfair advantage" is shallow and ignorant. Spend a day with someone who can barely walk, like me. I once was an olympic-bound triathlete, now a disabled mother who can barely stagger outside toss a ball with my boys. You wouldn't say it was unfair if I used natural herbs & foods that help to cure my condition. It's medicine. The guy had cancer all over his body and was told he would die. I commend Lance Armstrong for fighting his disease and still having the COURAGE to not take his own life to not suffer the pain, like so many in his situation. I find so many people around me that cannot even imagine another's suffering. Completely oblivious to the pain they may have. I feel sorry for those people when they find themselves facing medical issues, cancer, a broken spine, a brain aneurysm.......and they suddenly realize how self-centered and ignorant people are of their suffering. I used to see the signs for all the "privileges" the handicap get....the best parking, the best seats, no stairs but a nice smooth ramp, the best public toilet, such a roomy stall......now that I am disabled I see that even with all these "amenities, perks, and extras" we get, it is still very hard for me to leave the house.....to go to a movie, to take my kids to the park, to watch my boys' games, or school play, or science fair.........and when you imagine yourself being in so much pain that you can't DO much of anything, you realize that Lance Armstrong doesn't give a hoot what your snotty, ignorant opinion of him is. Thank you
But could you dodge a wrench?