Natalie Portman and Jonathan Bailey to Star in ‘Pumping Black’ from ‘Fresh’ Director

Natalie Portman (Black Swan) and Jonathan Bailey (Jurassic World: Rebirth) will be Pumping Black in the latest film from Fresh director Mimi Cave, reports Variety.

The film “follows cyclist Taylor Mace, who at 35-years-old is finding himself aging out of the sport. He is taken under the wing of Andrea Lathe, 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 outlet notes that the film is described as an “adrenaline fueled, dangerous thriller likened to both Whiplash and Black Swan.”

I’m starting to understand why Natalie Portman was cast. The actress has starred in numerous genre films, from Mars Attacks to Black Swan and Annihilation. Bailey, meanwhile, recently caught attention with his roles in Jurassic World: Rebirth and Wicked.

Personally, I’m a big fan of Fresh. Cave’s film caught me completely by surprise, proving her a director more than capable of delivering horror that felt, well, fresh. Somehow, I doubt the secret at the heart of Pumping Black involves cannibalism, but wouldn’t that be fun?

Cave will direct from a script by Haley Hope Bartels.

Producing are Stacey Sher at Shiny Penny (Heretic), Cave, Anton’s Sébastien Raybaud (Victorian Psycho) and Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas from MountainA.

Anton will launch international sales at Cannes with CAA co-repping the U.S.

Production on Pumping Black is scheduled for this Fall.