Filming underway in the French Alps
Production has commenced in the French Alps for the thriller film Pumping Black. The high-adrenaline project is led by Jonathan Bailey and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman, with shooting scheduled to run until early December.
The film centers on the competitive environment of elite professional cycling. The narrative follows 35-year-old Taylor Mace, who is aging out of the sport and becomes mentored by Dr. Andrea Lathe, a physician motivated by power and victory. As the competition unfolds, Mace is forced to take increasingly dark steps to maintain his lead and protect a secret.
Cast additions and ensemble
Alongside Bailey and Portman, the ensemble features previously announced cast members Lukas Gage and Alex Akpobome. Newly added to the lineup are Daniel Quinn-Toye, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, César winner Arieh Worthalter, and Emmy winner Tony Hale.
Production and creative team
Pumping Black is directed by Mimi Cave from a screenplay written by Haley Hope Bartels. Producers include Stacey Sher for Shiny Penny alongside Portman and Sophie Mas for MountainA, and Cave and Sébastien Raybaud for Anton Studios. Executive producers comprise Katie Aquino from Shiny Penny and Kai Raka from Catchlight Studios.
Anton Studios is fully financing the feature and managing worldwide sales, with CAA co-representing the United States market. Cave’s behind-the-scenes crew features cinematographer Justin Brown, production designer JC Molina, casting director Kharmel Cochrane, editor Martin Pensa, costume designer Pierre-Yves Gayraud, hair designer Géraldine Lemaire, and make-up artist Fabienne Robineau.