Production is underway in the French Alps for Pumping Black, a psychological thriller about elite professional cycling. Star headliners Jonathan Bailey and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman lead the cast. The Franco-American feature film began shooting in mid-October 2026.
Plot and Creative Team
Mimi Cave directs the film. She is known for her work on Fresh and Holland. The story follows Taylor Mace, a 35-year-old professional cyclist who is aging out of the sport. Desperate to keep his competitive edge, Mace accepts help from Andrea Lathe, a driven doctor who shares his ambition for victory. As the race continues, Mace takes dangerous measures to protect his lead and his secrets.
Haley Hope Bartels wrote the screenplay. Stacey Sher produces for Shiny Penny alongside Portman and Sophie Mas for MountainA. Cave and Sébastien Raybaud produce for Anton Studios. Anton Studios finances the feature and manages worldwide sales. Creative Artists Agency (CAA) co-reps domestic distribution rights for the United States.
Ensemble Cast
The production has added several actors to its principal cast. Daniel Quinn-Toye, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, César winner Arieh Worthalter, and Emmy winner Tony Hale join the ensemble. They star alongside previously announced cast members Lukas Gage and Alex Akpobome.
Insiders compare the film’s intense dynamic to a mix of Whiplash and Black Swan. The story focuses on the psychological toll of elite sports.
Filming Locations and Schedule
After filming in the French Alps, the production moves across southeastern France. Early shoots targeted areas between Briançon and L’Alpe d’Huez. Operations then shifted toward Nice, the Alpes-Maritimes hinterland including Sospel and the Col de Braus, and will conclude with a unit block in Paris throughout November. Principal photography runs until early December 2026.
Local casting agencies have recruited background actors and amateur cycling enthusiasts from regional towns for cycling scenes. The production highlights investment in regional French infrastructure following interest from international buyers at the Cannes market launch.
