Sabrina Carpenter is trading her pop-star stage for old Hollywood glamour.
The “Espresso” hitmaker, 27, has landed a major role alongside Tom Holland and Margaret Qualley in the upcoming biopic about legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire, according to Deadline.
Carpenter will portray Ginger Rogers, Astaire’s longtime dance partner and one of Hollywood’s most iconic leading ladies.
Sabrina Carpenter Is Playing Ginger Rogers
Rogers and Astaire first teamed up onscreen in 1933’s Flying Down to Rio, kicking off a partnership that would become one of the most celebrated dance duos in film history.
The pair went on to star together in nine movies between 1933 and 1939, including Top Hat, Swing Time and The Gay Divorcee. They reunited more than a decade later for 1949’s The Barkleys of Broadway.
Meanwhile, Qualley, 31, will take on the role of Adele Astaire, Fred’s older sister and his first major dance partner. The siblings got their start performing together as a vaudeville act before Fred eventually became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
From Disney Star to Old Hollywood
Carpenter has been acting since she was a kid, appearing in Disney favorites including Girl Meets World and Austin & Ally.
She later moved into more mature roles with projects such as Netflix’s Tall Girl, Clouds, and Emergency. In recent years, however, her music career has taken center stage, with hits including “Please Please Please,” “Manchild” and “Taste.”
Interestingly enough, Carpenter’s signature aesthetic already has plenty of old Hollywood flavor. Her music videos, performances and fashion have frequently leaned into retro glamour, making her latest role feel right on brand.
Tom Holland Is Getting Ready to Dance
The currently untitled film will be directed by Paul King, the filmmaker behind Paddington and Wonka. The screenplay from King and Steven Levenson is based on Kathleen Riley’s biography The Astaires: Fred & Adele.
Amy Pascal and Rachel O’Connor are producing the project.
© FamousFred Astaire’s daughter, Ava Astaire McKenzie, also shared her excitement about the film in a statement to Variety, saying she was pleased to see her father and aunt’s careers and legacy being brought to the big screen.
Holland Is Taking the Dance Challenge Seriously
For Holland, the project is bringing him back to his dance roots.
Long before becoming Marvel’s Spider-Man, the actor starred as Billy Elliot on London’s West End from 2008 to 2010. Now, he’s preparing to step into the shoes of one of the most famous dancers in entertainment history.
During a July appearance on Good Morning America, the 30-year-old actor opened up about training for the role and admitted that preparing to play Astaire has been both exciting and intimidating.
© NBCHolland said he wants to avoid relying heavily on stunt performers and hopes to film Astaire’s elaborate dance numbers in long, uninterrupted takes, much like they would have been performed during the 1930s.
“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 said.
The actor’s casting as Astaire was first announced in 2021, and now that Carpenter and Qualley are officially joining him, this Hollywood throwback is starting to take shape.
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