Tom Holland to star in Fred Astaire biopic, do own dancing

Actor Tom Holland has confirmed that his next major project will be a biopic of legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire, with plans to begin intensive preparation as soon as he completes promotional tours for his current films. Holland, who turned 30 in June, revealed the update during a July 20 appearance on "Good Morning America," stating he has already started dance rehearsals for the role.

The actor described his initial rehearsals as a mix of excitement and dread, acknowledging the significant work required to honor Astaire's legacy. Holland outlined an ambitious technical approach for the film, expressing a desire to perform all the dance sequences himself without using stunt doubles and to shoot the musical numbers in single, uninterrupted takes, mirroring Astaire's own iconic style.

Holland was first attached to star in the Sony Pictures biopic in 2021. The film will be directed by Paul King, known for the "Paddington" films and "Wonka," with a screenplay by Lee Hall, who wrote the original "Billy Elliot." The project is produced by Amy Pascal, among others. While specific plot details are not fully disclosed, reports indicate the film is expected to focus on Astaire's...