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Tom Holland to Portray Fred Astaire in Paul King-Directed Biopic
Tom Holland has confirmed that he will play legendary dancer Fred Astaire in a new biopic directed by Paul King. The project, written by Steven Levenson, is in active pre‑production and will follow Astaire’s rise from a Midwestern vaudeville act to a Hollywood icon.
The announcement came during a Good Morning America interview in which Holland said, “We have Fred Astaire next, that’s what we’re planning on doing.” He added that after completing the tour for his upcoming Spider‑Man film, he will return to the dance studio. The Spider‑Man feature, Brand New Day, is scheduled for theatrical release on 29 July 2026.
Holland’s career has spanned stage, television and blockbuster cinema. He began as Billy Elliot in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical (2008‑2010) before gaining worldwide recognition as Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2026 he also starred in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and appeared in a Pepsi commercial with Lionel Messi. The actor’s decision to tackle a dance biopic marks a return to his performing‑arts roots.
According to the interview, Holland has already begun rehearsals for the Astaire role. He described the experience as “exciting and absolute dread” and emphasized his commitment to performing the dance sequences himself. “I have a desire to use no doubles, to do all of the dancing, to shoot those dances in one shot – how [Astaire] would have done it,” Holland said. The actor noted that the first rehearsals took place recently and that he is preparing to honor Astaire’s legacy.
The film will explore the relationship between Fred and his sister Adele, tracing their journey from a vaudeville duo to separate careers that spanned Broadway, the West End and Hollywood. According to the source material, the script will highlight the brothers’ early partnership and the eventual divergence that saw Adele settle into a quieter life while Fred’s star rose to international prominence.
Paul King, known for Paddington (2014) and Wonka (2023), is directing the biopic. King’s track record includes a blend of family‑friendly storytelling and period detail, qualities that align with the historical scope of Astaire’s life. Steven Levenson, the writer of the FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon and the film Tick, Tick… BOOM!, brings experience in dance‑centric narratives.
While Fred Astaire himself had expressed reluctance to have his life dramatized, the project’s creators have stated that they intend to present an inspirational account that introduces Astaire’s brilliance to a new generation. The film’s production has entered the pre‑production phase, with principal photography slated to begin in January 2027 under Sony Pictures.
Industry analysts note that the biopic could fill a niche in the current market for dance‑focused dramas, a genre that has seen limited releases in recent years. The collaboration between Holland, King and Levenson is expected to attract both fans of the actor’s superhero work and audiences interested in classic Hollywood history.
The film’s release window is still being determined, but it is anticipated to debut in the summer of 2028, positioning it for awards consideration in the dance and biographical categories. In the meantime, Holland will continue to promote Brand New Day and complete his tour commitments before returning to the studio.
In summary, Tom Holland’s upcoming role as Fred Astaire marks a significant shift from superhero action to a dance biopic directed by Paul King and written by Steven Levenson. With rehearsals underway and pre‑production in full swing, the project is poised to bring the legacy of one of Hollywood’s greatest dancers to contemporary audiences.
The announcement came during a Good Morning America interview in which Holland said, “We have Fred Astaire next, that’s what we’re planning on doing.” He added that after completing the tour for his upcoming Spider‑Man film, he will return to the dance studio. The Spider‑Man feature, Brand New Day, is scheduled for theatrical release on 29 July 2026.
Holland’s career has spanned stage, television and blockbuster cinema. He began as Billy Elliot in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical (2008‑2010) before gaining worldwide recognition as Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2026 he also starred in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and appeared in a Pepsi commercial with Lionel Messi. The actor’s decision to tackle a dance biopic marks a return to his performing‑arts roots.
According to the interview, Holland has already begun rehearsals for the Astaire role. He described the experience as “exciting and absolute dread” and emphasized his commitment to performing the dance sequences himself. “I have a desire to use no doubles, to do all of the dancing, to shoot those dances in one shot – how [Astaire] would have done it,” Holland said. The actor noted that the first rehearsals took place recently and that he is preparing to honor Astaire’s legacy.
The film will explore the relationship between Fred and his sister Adele, tracing their journey from a vaudeville duo to separate careers that spanned Broadway, the West End and Hollywood. According to the source material, the script will highlight the brothers’ early partnership and the eventual divergence that saw Adele settle into a quieter life while Fred’s star rose to international prominence.
Paul King, known for Paddington (2014) and Wonka (2023), is directing the biopic. King’s track record includes a blend of family‑friendly storytelling and period detail, qualities that align with the historical scope of Astaire’s life. Steven Levenson, the writer of the FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon and the film Tick, Tick… BOOM!, brings experience in dance‑centric narratives.
While Fred Astaire himself had expressed reluctance to have his life dramatized, the project’s creators have stated that they intend to present an inspirational account that introduces Astaire’s brilliance to a new generation. The film’s production has entered the pre‑production phase, with principal photography slated to begin in January 2027 under Sony Pictures.
Industry analysts note that the biopic could fill a niche in the current market for dance‑focused dramas, a genre that has seen limited releases in recent years. The collaboration between Holland, King and Levenson is expected to attract both fans of the actor’s superhero work and audiences interested in classic Hollywood history.
The film’s release window is still being determined, but it is anticipated to debut in the summer of 2028, positioning it for awards consideration in the dance and biographical categories. In the meantime, Holland will continue to promote Brand New Day and complete his tour commitments before returning to the studio.
In summary, Tom Holland’s upcoming role as Fred Astaire marks a significant shift from superhero action to a dance biopic directed by Paul King and written by Steven Levenson. With rehearsals underway and pre‑production in full swing, the project is poised to bring the legacy of one of Hollywood’s greatest dancers to contemporary audiences.
