Jonathan Bailey pairs with Natalie Portman in psychological thriller 'Pumping Black'
Synopsis
Jonathan Bailey, fresh off a record-breaking 2025 box office run, is teaming with Oscar-winner Natalie Portman for 'Pumping Black', a visceral psychological thriller set in professional cycling. Directed by Mimi Cave and compared to 'Whiplash' and 'Black Swan', the film follows an aging cyclist forced into increasingly dark measures as ambition and survival collide.
Key Takeaways
Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman to star in psychological thriller 'Pumping Black'.
Mimi Cave ('Fresh', 'Holland') directs from a screenplay by Haley Hope Bartels .
The film follows cyclist Taylor Mace , 35 , mentored by ambitious doctor Andrea Lathe as secrets unravel toward the Tour de France .
Bailey became 2025's highest-grossing actor: 'Jurassic World Rebirth' ($869 million) and 'Wicked: For Good' ($540 million).
Production scheduled for fall; Anton fully financing the project.
Jonathan Bailey, crowned 2025's box office king after 'Jurassic World Rebirth' and 'Wicked: For Good', is set to star opposite Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman in the psychological thriller 'Pumping Black'. The film, directed by Mimi Cave ('Fresh', 'Holland'), explores the cutthroat world of professional cycling through a dark, visceral lens.
The story
'Pumping Black' follows Taylor Mace, a 35-year-old cyclist confronting the reality of aging out of competitive sport. He falls under the mentorship of Andrea Lathe, a doctor consumed by ambition for victory and power. As the race toward the Tour de France intensifies, Taylor resorts to increasingly dangerous measures to safeguard a dangerous secret. The narrative has been likened to both 'Whiplash' and 'Black Swan' — an adrenaline-fuelled psychological descent.
Creative team and production
The screenplay is penned by Haley Hope Bartels. Production is being helmed by Stacey Sher at Shiny Penny, alongside Mimi Cave, Sebastien Raybaud of Anton, and Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas from MountainA. Anton is financing the project in full, with filming scheduled for fall.
Why this pairing matters
Bailey's ascent from Netflix's 'Bridgerton' breakout to blockbuster lead has been meteoric. 'Jurassic World Rebirth' grossed $869 million globally, while 'Wicked: For Good' earned $540 million, making him the year's highest-grossing actor. Pairing him with Portman — an established A-lister and producer — signals ambition for a prestige psychological thriller with crossover appeal.
Producer confidence
Stacey Sher said: "Haley's script immediately pulled us into a visceral, psychological world that feels both thrilling and completely original. I'm excited to partner with Natalie and MountainA on this bold project, and to work with Jonathan whose talent makes him a perfect fit for the role. I can't wait to collaborate with Anton and bring Mimi Cave's incredible vision to life."
Point of View
Morally complex role that separates movie stars from serious actors. Whether Cave's vision matches the ambition of the script, and whether audiences follow Bailey from superhero spectacle into psychological darkness, will be the real test.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leads in 'Pumping Black'?
Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman star in 'Pumping Black'. Bailey plays aging cyclist Taylor Mace, while Portman plays Andrea Lathe, an ambitious doctor who becomes his mentor.
When will 'Pumping Black' go into production?
Production is scheduled for fall 2025. Anton is fully financing the project.
Who is directing 'Pumping Black'?
Mimi Cave is directing the film. She previously directed the 2022 horror film 'Fresh' and the 2025 comedy-mystery 'Holland'.
What is 'Pumping Black' about?
'Pumping Black' is a psychological thriller set in professional cycling. It follows 35-year-old cyclist Taylor Mace as he ages out of the sport and falls under the mentorship of ambitious doctor Andrea Lathe, leading to increasingly dark measures as secrets threaten to unravel.
Why is this casting significant for Jonathan Bailey?
Bailey became 2025's highest-grossing actor after 'Jurassic World Rebirth' ($869 million) and 'Wicked: For Good' ($540 million). Pairing him with Oscar-winner Natalie Portman in a prestige psychological thriller marks a shift from franchise blockbusters to character-driven drama.
