Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman's cycling thriller Pumping Black sells to Amazon at Cannes market

In the first significant deal to emerge from the Cannes market, Amazon has acquired most international rights to Pumping Black, a psychological thriller starring Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman.

The story

Set in the ruthless, high-stakes world of professional cycling and described as being in the vein of Whiplash and Black Swan, Pumping Black "follows cyclist Taylor Mace, who at 35-years-old is finding himself ageing 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."

A landmark streaming deal

The streaming agreement is understood to be landing in the early $20 millions, placing it among the biggest — and potentially the single biggest — deal to be struck on the ground during this year's market.

Anton is handling international sales and financing in Cannes, where the project is one of a handful of highly sought-after packages being pursued by studios and independent buyers. CAA Media Finance is co-representing world rights and brokered Anton's deal to launch the project.

Director and screenplay

The film will be directed by Mimi Cave, whose previous credits include the 2022 horror Fresh, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan, and the 2025 comedy-mystery Holland, starring Nicole Kidman. Cave will direct from a screenplay written by Haley Hope Bartels.

Producers

Pumping Black is being produced by Stacey Sher at Shiny Penny — known for The Hateful Eight — alongside Cave, Anton's Sébastien Raybaud, who is also behind Victorian Psycho, and Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas from MountainA, the company behind May December. Principal photography is being lined up for the autumn.

Producer Sher has previously spoken enthusiastically about the project: "Haley's script immediately pulled us into a visceral, psychological world that feels both thrilling and completely original."

The cast

Jonathan Bailey, one of the most in-demand actors working today following his role in Bridgerton, is coming off Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked: For Good.

Oscar winner Natalie Portman is currently in post-production on Lena Dunham's Netflix film Good Sex, and last year produced and provided the voice for the Oscar-nominated animated feature Arco. Anton is also presenting UCR horror Victorian Psycho at the festival.