Tom Holland Says Fred Astaire Biopic Will Be His Next Film After ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’

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Jul 24

Written By Jonathan P. Moustakas

Tom Holland and Fred Astaire. **CREDIT: Mike Marsland / WireImage / Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo**

The actor says he’ll perform every dance himself as he returns to the art form that launched his career.

Tom Holland isn’t slowing down after one of the biggest summers of his career.

Fresh off starring in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ and preparing for the release of ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, Holland has confirmed that his long-anticipated Fred Astaire biopic will be his next project. The Sony Pictures film, directed by ‘Wonka’ filmmaker Paul King, has been in development for several years and now appears to be moving forward.

Speaking during an appearance on Good Morning America, Holland revealed he has already begun dance rehearsals and plans to dedicate himself to training once promotional duties for his current films conclude.

“I now feel like I’m starting this chapter where I can’t quite get away with being a teenager anymore,” Holland said. “For me, what I love about my job is the challenges. We have Fred Astaire next, that’s what we’re planning on doing. As soon as I finish with these tours, I’m diving back into the dance studio.”

The role represents one of the most demanding physical performances of Holland’s career. Rather than relying on stunt performers or dance doubles, the actor says he intends to perform every routine himself, mirroring Astaire’s legendary approach to filmmaking.

“I have a desire to use no doubles,” Holland explained. “To do all of the dancing. To shoot those dances in one shot. How he would have done it.”

It’s an ambitious goal, but one rooted in Holland’s own background. Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, he rose to prominence portraying the title role in ‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ on London’s West End between 2008 and 2010, where his training in ballet, tap and contemporary dance first caught the industry’s attention.

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During a separate appearance on Live With Kelly and Mark, Holland admitted walking away from dance after leaving the production remains one of his biggest professional regrets.

“One of my biggest regrets in my career is after I finished Billy Elliot, I quit dancing,” he said.

Now, nearly two decades later, the Astaire biopic offers an opportunity to reconnect with the discipline that first launched his career.

“To have an opportunity to get to re-explore that world that I loved so much, that I owe so much to, I’m so excited for the challenge.”

The project also signals another deliberate step in Holland’s evolving career. After spending much of the last decade defined by Peter Parker, the actor has increasingly sought projects that challenge audience expectations, from his dramatic work in ‘The Crowded Room’ to his supporting role as Telemachus in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’.

Portraying Fred Astaire presents perhaps his most demanding transformation yet. Widely regarded as one of the greatest dancers and entertainers in film history, Astaire became synonymous with elegance, precision and long, uninterrupted dance sequences that showcased choreography without excessive editing. Holland’s commitment to performing every routine himself reflects that same philosophy while placing enormous expectations on his performance.

Before stepping into Astaire’s shoes, however, audiences will see Holland return as Peter Parker in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, which arrives in theaters July 31. The actor is currently enjoying one of the strongest stretches of his career, with ‘The Odyssey’ helping deliver one of 2026’s biggest theatrical successes while his next Marvel outing is expected to dominate the late-summer box office.

If all goes according to plan, Holland’s next act won’t involve web-slinging or mythological heroes, but tap shoes.