Why Tom Holland "Dreads" Thiis Role After Spider-Man
Off the heels of Christopher Nolan's box office record-breaking epic, The Odyssey (2026), and his fourth feature film as Peter Parker in Marvel's Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), Tom Holland is keeping busy with a project that's been years in the making now. Holland was initially cast as the legendary singer, actor, and dancer Fred Astaire in 2021, and now, the project is finally headed toward pre-production.
Holland's work continues to be remarkably impressive, with each new property giving us more insight into the actor's chops than the one before, and I have a feeling the currently untitled Fred Astaire biopic is going to be one of his best films to date. If he isn't nominated for his role as Telemachus in The Odyssey, there's no doubt in my mind that he will get the recognition for his embodiment of Astaire. (And I'm almost positive it'll even grant him the win—mark my words.)
Sometimes, when an actor becomes the face of a very specific character like Spider-Man, people aren't aware of what else they're capable of outside of that role. Holland himself is nervous about taking on his next gig. In a recent exclusive with Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos, Holland said, "It both filled me with excitement and absolute dread because I've got so much work to do to try and do Fred (Astaire) proud." But with his starring role in the West End's Billy Elliot and his background in ballet, Holland is the perfect actor for the job. His desire to do Astaire justice alone is a huge contributing factor to his qualifications.
There's currently no release window for the film, but production is supposed to begin in January 2027, so perhaps either a late release or an early 2028 one is possible. Paul King is set to direct, and considering what he's done with the Paddington (2014) films, we're in for a massive treat with this specific biography.
Biopics Are Challenging And Tom Holland Understands Why
In the same Good Morning America conversation, Stephanopoulos asked, "What does it mean to do Fred proud?" to which Holland replied, "I have a desire to use no doubles; to do all of the dancing; to shoot those dances in one shot—how he would've done it." Often, when an actor is cast in a biopic, they don't always perform in the same way the stars they're embodying did. For instance, Rami Malek didn't sing while playing the legendary Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). In addition, while some actors don't have the skill sets for certain elements in the role, there are things they also aren't trained to do, like stunts.
While Holland isn't doing every single one of his stunts as Spider-Man, his background in gymnastics and ballet allows him the chance to perform an impressive majority. Not to mention, having this level of training on top of his sensational ability to deliver emotional moments, the fact that he wants to do the role justice is exactly what ensures that he will.
The interview—as well as how he's spoken about the project in the past—proves that this is something Holland has been thinking about for quite some time, wanting to hone his process and craftsmanship with care. He's aware of the challenges that biopics typically require to ensure that not only the heart of the artist is present but that their mannerisms come to life believably. The detail that he wants to do everything organically also gives us a clear insight into the fact that he's done his research on Astaire, and will continue to during the duration of the project.
Tom Holland Is Perfect For The Role Of Fred Astaire
If you're active on social media platforms, then you know there are specific universal truths: When you see Tom Holland's Lip Sync Battle (2015) set to Singin' in the Rain (1952) and Rihanna's "Umbrella," you must stop what you're doing, watch, then share again. It is a law, basically. The video is an absolute treat if you've never seen it, and with it, Tom Holland essentially proves he was born for the role.
Holland moves with such natural charisma in his performance that it's captivating. Indescribable, really. His choice as an actor to train further and get to an even stronger place can ensure that what we get in the Fred Astaire biopic will be nuanced and alluring. Actors would certainly take the Lip Sync battles seriously, but there's none more iconic in the world of pop culture than Tom Holland's. He gives it his all, showcasing a wide range of expertise in different techniques to deliver something that's the very definition of epic. If anyone ever asks, can Tom Holland dance? Show them this video. The answer is an emphatic yes. The question is, what can't he do?
Ultimately, the innate desire to give his all to performance, coupled with his work in the past, proves that Holland isn't afraid of doing whatever it takes to get the best scene possible. He isn't afraid of challenging himself as an actor, which is also evidenced by the various genres he's tackled in his filmography. Plus, the humility that he feels a bit of dread shows us that he's more than capable of taking on the iconic role because he knows what awaits him.
