After promoting Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” and preparing for the release of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” the actor has confirmed that his next stop is the long-awaited Fred Astaire biopic. According to Variety, Holland has already begun rehearsals and is setting an ambitious goal for himself by performing every dance sequence without relying on doubles.
Tom Holland Is Returning to Dance for His Most Demanding Role Yet
Although Holland built his early career on the West End production of “Billy Elliot the Musical,” he admitted that stepping into Fred Astaire’s shoes feels like an entirely different level of commitment. Speaking on Good Morning America, the actor revealed that rehearsals are already underway. “As soon as I finish with these tours, I’m diving back into the dance studio,” he said, adding that his first sessions left him with “excitement and absolute dread because I’ve got so much work to do to to try and do Fred proud.”
The preparation goes beyond simply learning choreography. Holland said he intends to honor Astaire’s legendary style by handling every performance himself. His goal is “no doubles, to do all of the dancing [myself], to shoot those dances in one shot,” recreating the approach that made Astaire’s classic musical numbers so distinctive on screen.
During an appearance on Live With Kelly and Mark, Holland explained that the project represents a turning point after back-to-back tentpole films. Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” premiered earlier this month to strong reviews, while “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is set to arrive in theaters on July 31. Looking ahead, Holland described the Astaire picture as “the ultimate challenge,” adding that he wants to pursue roles that genuinely “scare me.”
The untitled Fred Astaire biopic is set to be directed by “Wonka” filmmaker Paul King and is expected to begin production in early 2027. The movie will focus on Astaire’s formative years alongside his sister Adele, chronicling the journey that eventually turned him into one of Hollywood’s most influential dancers and musical stars.
