The long-developing Fred Astaire biopic starring Tom Holland has added Sabrina Carpenter and Margaret Qualley to its cast as the project moves forward under director Paul King.
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According to Deadline, Qualley will play Adele Astaire, Fred’s older sister and original dance partner, while Carpenter will take on the role of Ginger Rogers. Holland remains attached as Fred Astaire and will also produce the film.
The project is based on Kathleen Riley’s biography The Astaires: Fred & Adele, which looks at the 27-year dance partnership between Fred and Adele Astaire. Their career took them from vaudeville to Broadway and London’s West End before Adele stepped away from performing. Fred later continued in Hollywood, where his work with Rogers became one of the defining partnerships of his film career.
King will direct from a screenplay by Steven Levenson, whose credits include Fosse/Verdon and Tick, Tick… BOOM!. Riley is also involved as a script and story consultant, bringing her research on the Astaire siblings directly into the production.
Qualley arrives at the project with a background in classical ballet, adding a direct dance connection to the role of Adele. Carpenter joins as Rogers following her work across acting and music, giving the film another performer with experience across multiple creative fields.
Holland also brings a strong physical performance background to the role. His career began in the West End production of Billy Elliot, and dance has remained part of his public image through later performances and physically demanding film roles. He has already begun training for the Astaire project.
King has said that one of the film’s key challenges lies in bringing Adele Astaire’s career back into focus. No known footage of her dancing survives, which leaves the production with the task of introducing her stage presence to contemporary audiences through performance and reconstruction.
Fred Astaire’s family has also supported the film. His daughter, Ava Astaire McKenzie, has publicly endorsed the project, while her son Tyler McKenzie will serve as consultant and co-producer. Holland is producing alongside Amy Pascal and McKenzie.
The biopic has remained in development for several years. Holland has stayed attached while continuing work on other major projects, including Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
The film currently has no official title or release date, and production timing has yet to be announced. With Holland, Qualley and Carpenter now set for the central roles, the project has established the main cast around Fred Astaire’s stage career with Adele and his later partnership with Rogers.
