Sabrina Carpenter is set to return to the big screen in an upcoming biopic about Hollywood dance legend Fred Astaire.
The 27-year-old singer has joined Tom Holland and Margaret Qualley in the currently untitled film, which will be directed by Paul King of ‘Paddington’ and ‘Wonka’ fame.
Carpenter will portray Ginger Rogers, Astaire’s longtime dance partner. The pair starred together in nine films between 1933 and 1939, beginning with ‘Flying Down to Rio’, before reuniting for ‘The Barkleys of Broadway’ in 1949.
Qualley will play Adele Astaire, Fred’s sister and his first major dance partner. The siblings initially performed together as a vaudeville act.
Carpenter began her career with Disney productions including ‘Girl Meets World’ and ‘Austin & Ally’ before appearing in films such as ‘Tall Girl’, ‘Clouds’ and ‘Emergency’. She later focused on music, releasing hits including ‘Please Please Please’, ‘Manchild’ and ‘Taste’.
The project is based on Kathleen Riley’s biography ‘The Astaires: Fred & Adele’. Paul King and Steven Levenson wrote the screenplay, with Amy Pascal and Rachel O’Connor producing.
For Holland, the film will mark a return to dance. He previously played the title role in ‘Billy Elliot’ on London’s West End from 2008 to 2010.
Holland has already begun training for the role and said he hopes to perform Astaire’s elaborate dance sequences without relying heavily on stunt doubles. He also wants to film the routines in single takes, reflecting the style of Astaire’s era.
