Tom Ford to Adapt Anne Rice's 'Cry to Heaven' Starring Adele in Feature Film Debut

Global music sensation Adele is officially set to make her feature film debut, joining director Tom Ford’s highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of Anne Rice’s novel, Cry to Heaven. The project marks a significant step for the British singer, who will star in the film based on the acclaimed literary work first published by Rice in 1982.

This endeavor signals Tom Ford’s return to the director’s chair after a hiatus spanning nearly a decade. Cry to Heaven will stand as his third feature film, following the critical successes of his debut, A Single Man (2009), and the neo-noir thriller Nocturnal Animals (2016). Notably, Ford is financing the picture entirely himself, acting as writer, producer, and director. This financial autonomy was secured following the sale of his eponymous fashion brand to The Estée Lauder Companies for a staggering sum of nearly $3 billion in 2023. The director has previously stated his intention to dedicate the next twenty years of his professional life exclusively to filmmaking.

Anne Rice’s original novel transports readers to 18th-century Italy, delving into the complex and often tragic world of operatic castrati—performers who commanded public adoration while simultaneously enduring social exclusion. While the source material is rooted in the 18th century, Ford’s adaptation will transpose the narrative to 1980s Italy. The core plot remains focused on the destinies of two men who undergo castration to maintain their perfect soprano voices: Guido Maffeo, a peasant who rises to become an opera star and teacher, and Tonio Treschi, a Venetian nobleman. Both characters are driven by an intense ambition to achieve operatic success.

Adele joins an impressive ensemble cast featuring a constellation of established talent. The lineup includes Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Thandiwe Newton, Mark Strong, George MacKay, Hunter Schafer, and Owen Cooper. This project reunites Ford with several previous collaborators. Colin Firth, for instance, previously secured the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in Ford’s A Single Man. Similarly, Aaron Taylor-Johnson earned a Golden Globe for his role in Nocturnal Animals.

Production is scheduled to commence in January 2026, with principal photography taking place across the historic cities of London and Rome. The film is tentatively slated for release in the spring or autumn of 2026. Ford’s unique position of financial independence grants him the freedom to pursue the project on his own terms, allowing him to deeply explore complex themes such as identity, sacrifice, and the ultimate price paid for artistic greatness.