Shirley Ballas is on the path to earning her star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame with an impressive new gig. As the esteemed head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley is now joining forces with her son Mark Ballas, a seasoned professional from Dancing With The Stars, to choreograph a highly-anticipated ballroom-themed film.
The Light Fantastic is the title of the forthcoming rom-com movie set to be shot in the heart of Blackpool, the very cradle of ballroom dance. It’s here that mother Shirley and son Mark will take the reins to choreograph the film’s many intricate dance sequences.
This eagerly awaited movie has already succeeded in attracting A-list talent. Among these esteemed stars is a familiar face from the Strictly dancefloor, ready to grace the silver screen.
Layton Williams, a former Strictly participant, is set to feature in this cinematic piece, along with renowned actor Rupert Everitt. Further enriching the ensemble cast are Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, known for Misfits and Culprits, and War Horse actor Jeremy Irvine, adding their own unique flavors to the movie.
The announced synopsis of The Light Fantastic reveals Jeremy Irvine as the protagonist, named Jason. Jason is a gay firefighter whose deep-seated ambition is to gain renown as a ballroom champion, adding an exciting layer to the storyline.
It seems that the city of Blackpool is where Jason chooses to venture in his quest to master the art of ballballroom dancing. Guided by his dance instructor Reynolds, a character brought to life by Rupert, Jason will navigate the age-old traditions and rich history of the dance.
The film’s production is scheduled to begin in early 2025, and there are reasons to believe that Shirley and Mark have already begun the exciting process of conceptualizing and executing the film’s dance choreography.
Shirley made her debut in the dance world by replacing Len Goodman in the year 2016 on Strictly Come Dancing, where she continues to serve as the head judge. Meanwhile, her son Mark gained fame on the American counterpart of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars.
Mark Ballas has had his time under the spotlight with none other than Kim Kardashian as a dance partner during her early rise to fame in 2008. However, their pairing did not last long on the show, concluding after just three dances.
The association with Kim ended as a relatively less successful chapter in Mark’s 20 series-long tenure on Dancing With the Stars. Despite this fleeting partnership, his dance career on the show has been marked by significant accomplishments.
Mark’s dance expertise and his knack for fostering connections with his partners have helped him claim victory on the series three times – no small feat in a competition of such high stakes and caliber.
His winning streak includes partnerships with notable celebrities like Charli D’Amelio, a sensation from TikTok, Shawn Johnson, an adroit gymnast, and Kristi Yamaguchi, a celebrated figure skater.
The Light Fantastic, with its compelling narrative and a backdrop of mesmerizing ballroom sequences, will surely be a cinematic treat. Both Shirley and Mark Ballas’ well-established reputations in the dance domain, combined with a talented cast, portend a movie worth waiting for.
With an A-list cast and the mother-and-son duo’s formidable expertise in choreography, anticipation for this movie is building rapidly. The intricate, sparkling world of ballroom dance, as depicted in the film, is bound to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Exchanging their judging tables and dancing floors for the glitz and glamour of a movie set, both Shirley and Mark are prepped for a game-changing venture in Hollywood. Their professional journeys thus far have led them to this exciting juncture, where they combine their mutual passion for dance with the captivating world of cinema.
The Light Fantastic will not only showcase spectacular dance choreography but also addresses poignant narratives. As audiences internationally anticipate its release, Shirley and Mark Ballas stand on the cusp of adding another feather to their well-decorated caps.