Tom Holland has been cast as legendary American actor and dancer Fred Astaire in a new biopic about the performer.

The 25-year old revealed he has accepted the role at an event in London when he told the Associated Press: “I am playing Fred Astaire. Yeah, I am.”

Amy Pascal — the film’s producer — suggested the actor for the role however he had not commented on the project previously.

"I haven't read it yet. They haven’t given it to me,” he replied when asked about the script.

"Amy Pascal has the script. She Facetimed me earlier. I was in the bath and we had a lovely Facetime."

Holland gained a name for himself with his role as the title character in Billy Elliot: The Musical in the West End. He is set to reprise his role as Spiderman in the latest instalment of the skyscraper-scaling hero in Spiderman: No Way Home. The film will hit screens on December 17th.

Fred Astaire was an American dancer, actor and singer whose career spanned seven decades and many iconic roles. Astaire featured in classics like Swing Time, The Gay Divorcee and Top Hat.