Fred astaire Margaret Qualley is set to portray Adele Astaire in Sony Pictures’ upcoming Fred Astaire biopic, joining Tom Holland and Sabrina Carpenter in the untitled film about the legendary dancer and performer.
Holland will play Fred Astaire, while Carpenter is set to portray Ginger Rogers. The movie will be directed by Paul King, best known for his work on the “Paddington” films.
Margaret Qualley Takes on Adele Astaire
Qualley will play Adele Astaire, Fred Astaire’s older sister and his original dance partner. Fred and Adele established themselves as major performers on Broadway and in London’s West End before Fred eventually moved into Hollywood and became one of cinema’s most celebrated dancers.
The role gives Qualley the opportunity to portray a performer whose stage career was highly influential but is less familiar to modern audiences. King has noted that no surviving footage of Adele dancing exists, adding a distinctive challenge to bringing her story to the screen.
Sabrina Carpenter Joins as Ginger Rogers
Sabrina Carpenter will portray Ginger Rogers, the actress and dancer who became one of Fred Astaire’s most famous screen partners.
Astaire and Rogers appeared together in a series of celebrated musical films, helping establish one of Hollywood’s best-known dance partnerships. Their collaborations remain an important part of Astaire’s cinematic legacy.
Carpenter, who has built a career across music and acting, will take on the role as the film explores Astaire’s rise from the stage to international film stardom.
Tom Holland Leads the Cast
Holland is taking on the title role of Fred Astaire. Before becoming internationally known through major film roles, Holland also had extensive dance and stage experience, including playing Billy Elliot in the West End production of “Billy Elliot the Musical.”
The casting therefore brings together three performers with backgrounds in acting, music and dance for a story centered on one of the defining entertainers of the 20th century.
Paul King to Direct
Paul King is directing the project from a screenplay written by King and Steven Levenson. The script is based on Kathleen Riley’s book The Astaires: Fred & Adele.
Amy Pascal and Rachel O’Connor are producing alongside Holland, while additional executive producers include Harry Holland, Will South, Will Clarke, Andy Mayson and Steve Levenson. Ava Astaire McKenzie, Fred Astaire’s daughter, is also supporting the project, with her son Tyler McKenzie serving as a consultant and co-producer.
A Story Spanning Stage and Screen
The film is expected to explore the different stages of Astaire’s career, from his early partnership with Adele to his transformation into a Hollywood icon.
Adele’s contribution is particularly significant to the story. She performed alongside Fred before he became famous for his movie partnerships, making her an important figure in the development of his performing career.
With Holland, Qualley and Carpenter attached, the project brings together a contemporary cast to revisit the world of classic musical entertainment and the performers who helped shape it.
The Fred Astaire biopic is being developed by Sony Pictures and does not yet have a publicly announced release date.
Source: variety