Fred Astaire biopic finally casting up

Tom Holland's long-awaited Fred Astaire film is assembling its cast, with Sabrina Carpenter and Margaret Qualley joining the project directed by Paul King.

Margaret Qualley plays Adele Astaire

Margaret Qualley, 31, will portray Fred's older sister and first dance partner Adele, who formed a successful Broadway duo with Fred at the turn of the 20th century.

Sabrina Carpenter as Ginger Rogers

The 27-year-old Grammy-winning singer and actress will play Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire's most famous dance partner. Carpenter has appeared in films including The Hate U Give and Tall Girl 2.

Holland commits to dancing himself

Holland revealed he wants to perform all the dancing without doubles, shooting dances in single takes the way Astaire did. He said the role fills him with both excitement and dread.

“I have a desire to use no doubles. To do all of the dancing, to shoot those dances in one shot, how he would have done it.”

Director Paul King on the challenge

King, who directed Paddington and Wonka, said bringing these twentieth-century icons to life required this exact cast. No footage of Adele dancing survives, making her story particularly difficult to tell.

Astaire's daughter gives her blessing

Ava Astaire McKenzie, Fred's daughter, supports the film and says the story is in excellent hands with director Paul King, writer Steven Levenson, and producer Amy Pascal.

“I'm delighted to support this endeavor to celebrate the extraordinary careers and enduring legacy of my father and aunt.”