The new film set in the world of professional cycling will unite Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman in a story driven by obsession, pressure and the limits of success.
Jonathan Bailey continues to cement his rise in Hollywood with a new project that takes him far away from the fantasy and musical worlds that have defined much of his recent career. The British actor will star alongside Natalie Portman in the psychological thriller ‘Pumping Black’, a film set within the competitive and extreme world of professional cycling.
The project will be directed by Mimi Cave, the filmmaker who gained attention following the success of ‘Fresh’ and who recently also directed ‘Holland’, establishing herself as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary thriller cinema. The screenplay is written by Haley Hope Bartels, while the production will be fully financed by Anton, which is set to launch the film at the Cannes market.
The story follows Taylor Mace, played by Jonathan Bailey, a 35-year-old professional cyclist beginning to feel the physical and emotional exhaustion of an industry obsessed with extreme performance. As his career appears to be approaching its final stage, Andrea Lathe enters the picture — a brilliant and ambitious doctor portrayed by Natalie Portman whose obsession with victory and control pushes the protagonist towards increasingly darker decisions.
According to the official description, the film will combine the psychological intensity of ‘Black Swan’ with the competitive pressure of ‘Whiplash’, building a narrative where ambition, the body and sacrifice become central themes. As the race towards the Tour de France progresses, Bailey’s character will be forced to protect a secret that threatens to destroy everything he has fought for.
The announcement arrives at a particularly important moment in Jonathan Bailey’s career. After achieving global fame through Bridgerton, the actor made the definitive leap into blockbuster cinema with projects such as ‘Wicked: For Good’ and Jurassic World Rebirth. The huge box office success of both films established him as one of the highest-grossing actors of 2025, consolidating a rare transition from television phenomenon to international blockbuster star.
Meanwhile, Natalie Portman returns to territory she knows exceptionally well: the psychological thriller centred on emotionally demanding and complex characters. The actress won the Academy Award for Black Swan and has built much of her career around roles defined by psychological intensity and physical transformation. In recent years, she has also strengthened her role as a producer through MountainA, the company involved in the development of ‘Pumping Black’.
-380x380.webp)
-380x380.webp)
-380x380.webp)