Amazon has secured most international rights to Pumping Black, a psychological thriller starring Jonathan Bailey and Natalie Portman, in what stands as the first major deal struck at the 2026 Cannes market. Sources indicate the streaming deal landed in the early twenties of millions, making it one of the biggest — potentially the biggest — transaction to close on the ground during the market.
Set in the competitive and cutthroat world of professional cycling, the film draws comparisons to Whiplash and Black Swan. It follows cyclist Taylor Mace, who at 35 finds himself ageing out of the sport and falls under the influence of Andrea Lathe, a doctor fueled by her own hunger for power and victory, as the pressure of the Tour de France mounts and the measures he takes grow increasingly dark.
Bailey arrives at the project off the back of an extraordinary 2025, during which Jurassic World Rebirth ($869 million globally) and Wicked: For Good ($540 million) combined to make him the year’s highest-grossing actor. Portman brings both star power and producer clout — she and Sophie Mas produce through their MountainA banner, the company behind May December, while Stacey Sher at Shiny Penny and Anton’s Sébastien Raybaud round out the producing team.
Mimi Cave will direct from a screenplay by Haley Hope Bartels. Bartels’ script previously ranked second on the 2022 Black List, suggesting the project has been circling Hollywood’s attention for years. Cave built her reputation with the 2022 Sundance hit Fresh and followed it with the 2025 comedy-mystery Holland starring Nicole Kidman. Sher described Bartels’ writing as pulling the team “into a visceral, psychological world that feels both thrilling and completely original,” adding that Bailey’s talent makes him “a perfect fit for the role.”
Anton is handling international sales and financing in Cannes, where Pumping Black ranked among the most in-demand packages being pursued by studios and independent buyers. CAA Media Finance co-reps world rights and brokered Anton’s deal to launch the project. Production is scheduled for this fall.
The deal’s speed and scale signal Amazon’s continued appetite for star-driven prestige fare at a moment when the streaming giant has made theatrical acquisitions a cornerstone of its content strategy. With Bailey’s commercial track record, Portman’s Oscar-winner credibility, and a script that spent years generating industry buzz, Pumping Black arrives at Cannes already carrying significant momentum before a single frame has been shot.
