EXCLUSIVE: Lukas Gage and Alex Akpobome have joined the cast of the psychological thriller Pumping Black starring Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman.

The film, set in the cutthroat world of professional cycling, is described as being in the vein of Whiplash and Black Swan. Pumping Black follows cyclist Taylor Mace, who at 35 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.

Directed by Mimi Cave from a screenplay by Haley Hope Bartels, the film will be produced by Stacey Sher at Shiny Penny, Cave, Anton’s Sébastien Raybaud, and Portman, and Sophie Mas from MountainA. Production is being lined up for the fall.

Lukas Gage, best known for his role in the first season of The White Lotus, has recently starred in Rosebush Pruning alongside Elle Fanning, Callum Turner, and Riley Keough; and Voicemails for Isabelle and The People We Meet on Vacation for Netflix. He previously starred in Companion alongside Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, Paramount’s Smile 2, and Roadhouse opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Connor McGregor.

Gage is next up in Hulu’s Prison Break update from creator Elgin James, in which he will lead alongside Emily Browning and Drake Rodger. On the other hand, Alex Akpobome can be seen opposite Kaley Cuoco in Peacock’s Based on a True Story. Other credits include the series Twenties from creator Lena Waithe and a recurring role on Apple’s For All Mankind.

Gage is repped by WME, Luber Roklin Entertainment, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher. Akpobome is repped by Gersh and Range Media Partners.

The highly anticipated film, which is being produced by Shiny Penny, will likely be a thrilling ride for viewers. With its talented cast and crew, Pumping Black is sure to captivate audiences and leave them on the edge of their seats.

Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman have already made a name for themselves in the film industry, and their involvement in Pumping Black is a testament to the film’s promise and potential. The addition of Lukas Gage and Alex Akpobome to the cast only adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the film.