Hollywood actor Tom Holland has revealed fresh details about the upcoming Fred Astaire biopic directed by Paul King, confirming he intends to perform every dance sequence himself — without the aid of stunt or dance doubles. The update comes nearly five years after Holland first announced he would lead the project, written by Steven Levenson.

Holland on the Challenge Ahead

Speaking on Good Morning America, Holland described his early rehearsals as a mix of excitement and anxiety. 'For me, what I love about my job is the challenges,' he said. He added that the Fred Astaire project is next on his schedule once his current promotional tours wrap up, and that he has already returned to the dance studio to begin preparation.

'I did my first few rehearsals recently, and it both filled me with excitement and absolute dread because I've got so much work to do to try and do Fred proud,' Holland shared. His ambition extends beyond simply portraying Astaire — he has expressed 'a desire to use no doubles, to do all of the dancing, to shoot those dances in one shot — how (Astaire) would have done it.'

Who Was Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire is widely regarded as the 'greatest popular-music dancer of all time.' Over his career, he received an Honorary Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a David di Donatello Award, three Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award. His dance vocabulary drew from tap, classical dance, and the refined style of Vernon and Irene Castle, and his trademark approach became a defining influence on the American Smooth style of ballroom dance.

Astaire's filmography spans some of Hollywood's most celebrated musicals, including Top Hat, Swing Time, Shall We Dance, Holiday Inn, Easter Parade, The Band Wagon, Funny Face, Silk Stockings, and The Towering Inferno. Emulating that legacy on screen is widely considered one of the most technically demanding acting challenges in contemporary cinema.

The Biopic in Context

The project has been in development for several years, with Holland's casting signalling a high-profile commitment from the studio. King, best known for Paddington and Wonka, brings a sensibility for character-driven period storytelling. Levenson's screenplay adds further weight — he is the Tony Award-winning writer behind Dear Evan Hansen. No release date has been announced.

Notably, Holland's decision to forgo dance doubles echoes Astaire's own insistence on full-body, uncut choreography — a philosophy that defined the visual grammar of his films. Whether that ambition translates to the final cut will likely depend on the production's shooting schedule and Holland's progression in training.

Holland's Other Project: The Odyssey

While the Astaire biopic remains in preparation, Holland is currently promoting The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan. The film is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem and features an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.

With The Odyssey on screens and the Astaire biopic in active pre-production, Holland's near-term slate positions him as one of Hollywood's most ambitious leading men of his generation.