Tom Holland’s Fred Astaire Biopic Adds Sabrina Carpenter and Margaret Qualley

Tom Holland is getting two major dance partners for his upcoming Fred Astaire biopic, with Sabrina Carpenter and Margaret Qualley joining Sony Pictures’ highly anticipated project.

Holland will portray legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire, while Margaret Qualley will play his sister and original dance partner, Adele Astaire. Sabrina Carpenter will portray Ginger Rogers, the iconic performer who became Astaire’s celebrated Hollywood dance partner. The currently untitled film will be directed by Wonka and Paddington filmmaker Paul King.

The casting announcement gives the long-gestating project a major boost after Tom Holland first revealed his involvement several years ago. The movie centers on one of Hollywood’s most recognizable dance partnerships while also bringing renewed attention to the lesser-known career of Adele Astaire.

Tom Holland Is Going Back to His Dance Roots

Tom Holland’s casting carries an intriguing connection to Fred Astaire. Before becoming globally famous as Spider-Man, Holland began his career on London’s West End, playing Billy Elliot in Billy Elliot the Musical from 2008 to 2010.

That background could prove crucial for the demanding role. Holland has previously discussed returning to dance training for the Astaire project and said he intends to perform the film’s major dance sequences himself rather than relying on doubles.

The actor is also coming off a massive 2026, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey both becoming major theatrical successes.

Now, Holland faces a completely different challenge: recreating the precision, elegance and screen presence of one of cinema’s greatest dancers.

Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers

Margaret Qualley Brings Adele Astaire Back Into the Spotlight

Qualley will play Adele Astaire, Fred’s older sister and his original professional dance partner.

Fred and Adele became major performers on Broadway and London’s West End before Fred eventually established his legendary film career. Their early partnership is expected to be an important part of the movie.

Director Paul King has emphasized that Adele’s story deserves greater attention, noting that no surviving footage of her dancing exists. That makes recreating her performances an unusual cinematic challenge.

Qualley arrives with a strong run of critically recognized performances, including The Substance, Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness, Maid and Fosse/Verdon.

Sabrina Carpenter Steps Into Ginger Rogers’ Shoes

Carpenter’s casting as Ginger Rogers adds another major pop-culture name to the project.

Rogers became synonymous with Astaire through their celebrated series of musical films, helping create one of Hollywood’s most famous screen partnerships. Their collaborations included classics such as Top Hat, Swing Time, and The Gay Divorcee.

For Carpenter, the film represents another major expansion of her acting career alongside her global music success. The two-time Grammy winner has previously appeared in Work It, The Hate U Give and The Short History of the Long Road.

Paul King Directs the Sony Biopic

King is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with Steven Levenson. The story is based on Kathleen Riley’s biography The Astaires: Fred & Adele, with Riley also serving as a story and script consultant.

Amy Pascal and Rachel O’Connor are producing alongside Ben Holden, Josh Hyams and Holland. Fred Astaire’s daughter, Ava Astaire McKenzie, is supporting the production, while her son Tyler McKenzie serves as a consultant and co-producer.

Sony has not yet announced a theatrical release date.

With Holland preparing to dance as Fred Astaire, Qualley bringing Adele’s forgotten legacy to the screen, and Carpenter stepping into the role of Ginger Rogers, Sony’s untitled biopic is shaping up as a major Hollywood dance movie with three very different generations of stars at its center.