“Wicked” and “Jurassic World: Rebirth” star Jonathan Bailey has locked in the sports psychological thriller “Pumping Black” alongside acting veteran Natalie Portman.
The story is set in the competitive and cutthroat world of professional cycling and follows cyclist Taylor Mace (Bailey), who is finding himself aging out of the sport at 35 years old.
He is taken under the wing of Andrea Lathe (Portman), a doctor driven by her own thirst for victory and power. As the race to the Tour de France progresses, Taylor must take increasingly dark measures to protect his secret.
The film is reportedly in the tone of “Black Swan” and “Whiplash,” and dubbed an “adrenaline-fuelled, dangerous thriller”.
Mimi Cave, who directed 2022’s “Fresh” starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan, along with 2025’s “Holland” starring Nicole Kidman, will helm the film from a script by Haley Hope Bartels.
Stacey Sher, Sébastien Raybaud, Portman and Sophie Mas will produce the film, which will shoot this Fall. Anton is backing the project and launching sales for it at Cannes.
Bailey, voted 2025’s Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine, has been an avid cyclist and participant in marathons and triathlons for many years, all in the name of good causes.
Source: Variety
