Cameras are rolling in the French Alps for “Pumping Black,” a high-adrenaline thriller directed by Jonathan Bailey (“Wicked,” “Jurassic World: Rebirth”) and Oscar winner Natalie Portman (“May December,” “Good Sex”).
announced for the first time Diversity Ahead of Anton Studios’ Cannes debut earlier this year, the film also stars Lukas Gage (The White Lotus), Alex Akpobome (Industry), and new additions include Daniel Quinn-Toye (“Sterling Point”), Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen (“The Weight”), César winner Arieh Worthalter (“The Goldman Case”) and Emmy winner Tony Hale (“Veep”).
Shooting will continue until early December.
Set in the cutthroat world of elite professional cycling, “Pumping Black” tells the story of 35-year-old Taylor Mace, who is away from the sport. He is taken under the wing of Andrea Lathe, a doctor driven by his thirst for glory and power. As the race progresses, Taylor is forced to take increasingly darker measures to protect both his secret and his lead.
Mimi Cave (“Holland,” “Fresh”) directs from a screenplay by Haley Hope Bartels. Producers include Stacey Sher for Shiny Penny (“The Hateful Eight,” “Heretic”), Portman and Sophie Mas (“May December,” “Arco”) for MountainA, Cave and Sébastien Raybaud for Anton Studios (“Victoria Psycho,” “My Darling California”). Shiny Penny’s Katie Aquino and Catchlight Studios’ Kai Raka serve as executive producers.
Anton Studios is fully financing the film and handling worldwide sales with CAA representing the US.
Cave’s creative team includes director of photography Justin Brown (“I’m Not For This”), production designer JC Molina (“Honey Boy”) and casting director Kharmel Cochrane (“Saltburn”). Martin Pensa, who edited Cave’s book “Fresh,” returns as editor. Pierre-Yves Gayraud (“Cloud Atlas”) serves as costume designer, while Géraldine Lemaire (“The French Dispatch”) and Fabienne Robineau (“Robin Hood”) handle hair and make-up.
Bailey is repped by CAA, Conway Van Gelder Grant and Anonymous Content; and law firm Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox LLP. Portman is represented by CAA, George Sheanshang and Agence Adéquat. Cave is represented by CAA and Jackoway Austen. Sher is represented by CAA and Gang, Tire, Ramer. Bartels is repped by CAA, Untitled and Yorn Levine. Gage is repped by WME, Luber Roklin Entertainment and Goodman Genow Schenkman. Akpobome is represented by Gersh and Range Media Partners. Quinn-Toye is repped by Independent Talent Group, CAA, Public Eye Communications and Gang, Tire, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Tønnesen is represented by Accelerate and Lindberg Management. Worthalter is represented by Agence Adéquat. Hale is represented by UTA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox LLP.