Tom Holland has announced he is set to play Fred Astaire in a new biopic – but not everyone is happy.
The Spider-Man star has been cast as the legendary actor and dancer in an upcoming Sony film and it’s seriously dividing fans on social media.
No other details, such as the title or who will direct it, have been confirmed as it is still in “very early stages”, according to a Sony rep.
That there even is a film in the works at all may come as a surprise to many fans as Fred - whose famous dance partner was Ginger Rogers - reportedly had a clause written into his will banning any portrayals of his life.
Before he died in 1987 at the age of 88 he said: “However much they offer me – and offers come in all the time – I shall not sell.”
Alluding to the so-called clause, he added: “It is there because I have no desire to have my life misinterpreted, which it would be.”
Fans were quick to voice their opinion on the controversial casting, with one saying: “Tom Holland is about to accidentally spoil the entire plot of Fred Astaire’s life.”
Another said: “Tom Holland is a great Spider-Man, but nobody can dance like Fred Astaire.”
“Tom Holland clearly has no actual respect for the absolute legend that is Fred Astaire. How utterly rude. I’d rather respect a person’s final wishes in life over filling my pockets with more hoarded wealth, but that’s just me,” a third fume.
While a fourth simply put: “Dreadful. Leave Astaire alone.”
Not everyone was hating on Tom’s new role, as others took to social media to praise the casting decision.
“I don’t understand why people would be upset about Tom Holland playing Fred Astaire. It makes a lot of sense and he is a brilliant actor!” wrote one fan in his defence.
“Dance your little heart out Tom Holland can’t wait to see you as Fred Astaire!” a second chimed in.
“TOM HOLLAND IS GONNA KILL IT AS FRED ASTAIRE,” another added.
Tom is actually a trained dancer who first shot to fame playing the lead role in Billy Elliot in London’s West End.
Since then the 25-year-old has gone on to star in The Impossible alongside Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts and Captain America: Civil War, and is best known for playing Spider-Man since 2015.
His third film in the franchise, Spider-Man: No Way Home, starring Zendaya has just been released in cinemas.
In 2017, Tom performed a tribute to Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain dance on Lip Sync Battle, which was a mash up with Rhianna’s Umbrella. The clip went viral.
But one fan was keen to point out: "People keep citing the Umbrella dance as a reason why Tom Holland is strong casting for Fred Astaire.
“Meanwhile, I’m grumbling ‘that’s Gene Kelly you fools’ under my breath.”
