Tom Holland’s Fred Astaire Biopic Leaps Ahead With Major Production Update
Tom Holland says his Fred Astaire biopic is finally picking up steam, with Paddington director Paul King set to helm and cameras aiming to roll next year.
Right, here we are again: another Tom Holland project that’s been lurking in the background forever, looking like it might actually get off the ground. Yes, I’m talking about the Fred Astaire biopic – the one that’s been 'in development' so long you’d be forgiven for thinking it was just a rumour. Turns out, Holland himself has now given us a proper update, and it’s not just him fancying another dance.
The Latest from Tom Holland (at Last)
In a new profile with GQ (ostensibly about his other upcoming film, The Odyssey), Tom let slip that he’s actually hoping to start shooting the Astaire film as early as January. Apparently, this is the most movement we’ve seen on it since it was first announced about four years ago. To quote GQ directly:
'In January he will hopefully shoot the long-rumoured Fred Astaire biopic he’s been developing.'
Not just press fluff either – Holland himself has confirmed that’s the plan. There is, though, a bit of caution in his tone. He’s said, quite sensibly, that once Astaire is wrapped, he intends to actually take some time off:
'Then take the rest of the year to just let the dust settle. I don’t want to fall into the same mistakes I made as a young kid, which is this insatiable desire to just work, work, work, work, work. I want to work on the right projects with the right people. So I think just kind of: one day at a time.'
Who’s Doing What?
Those who’ve been keeping score will remember that Sony snagged Paul King to direct the thing. Yes, the chap responsible for both Paddington films, which, let’s be honest, is probably the best possible omen for any musical biopic.
And if you thought Holland was just winging it, think again. On the Good Hang podcast – and flagged by World of Reel – he’s mentioned that he’s already knee deep in dance rehearsals. Not exactly a man going in cold, then, and frankly, if anyone remembers his Billy Elliot roots, you’ll know he’s got the form.
A Quick Bit of Astaire Context (For Those Who Need It)
For anyone emerging from a cave: Fred Astaire was basically the gold standard of dance in Hollywood for decades – 1930s through the early 80s. Singing, acting, choreography, he did the lot. The man starred in classics like Holiday Inn (1942), Easter Parade (1948), The Band Wagon (1953), and Funny Face (1957), plus a mountain of other Broadway and musical film appearances. If anything, the question isn’t 'Why Astaire?', it’s 'Why has it taken this long?'
You can see why Holland makes sense for the role. A bit of a West End prodigy – he was 13 when he starred in Billy Elliot the Musical – and he’s had viral moments with those dance numbers too. If you saw him on Lip Sync Battle back in 2017, the one where it was 'Singin' in the Rain' into Rihanna’s 'Umbrella,' you’ll remember everyone lost their collective minds.
The Road Ahead
- January: Targeted filming start for Astaire biopic (fingers crossed).
- Director: Paul King (of Paddington fame).
- Dance: Holland already in rehearsals to nail those moves.
- Release: Still no official date. If January filming actually happens, some time in 2028 is plausible.
- Next for Holland: The next Spider-Man out July 31, 2026, titled Brand New Day.