Adele to Star in Tom Ford’s ‘Cry to Heaven’ Film Adaptation
Global music superstar Adele is set to make her acting debut in fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford’s upcoming adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel, Cry to Heaven.
The drama, set in 18th-century Italy, will feature a star-studded cast alongside Adele, including Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, Thandiwe Newton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Hunter Schafer, Daryl McCormack, George MacKay, Paul Bettany, and rising star Owen Cooper. The story centers on two unlikely collaborators – a Venetian noble and a castrated maestro from Calabria – navigating the world of opera. Critics at the time of the novel’s release described it as “bold and erotic,” filled with “sexual tension and music,” according to reviews in The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Ford, whose previous films include the Oscar-nominated A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals, has increasingly focused on filmmaking in recent years, stating in a 2023 GQ interview, “I loved making the two films that I made… That was the most fun I’ve ever had in my entire life.” This marks a significant shift for Ford, who previously prioritized his fashion empire. Pre-production for Cry to Heaven is currently underway in London and Rome, with filming scheduled to begin in January, and a release anticipated in 2026.
Adele previously explored a potential acting role in Xavier Dolan’s The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, expressing her willingness to work with the director, saying, “I would be in a film for him, definitely.” However, despite a song appearing on the soundtrack, she did not ultimately appear in the film. Production is expected to continue as planned, with officials confirming the project remains on schedule.
