Global superstar Adele is poised to make her acting debut in "Cry to Heaven," a film adaptation of Anne Rice's 1982 novel, directed by fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford. News of Adele's casting, revealed on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, has generated considerable excitement.
Ford, known for his visually stunning and emotionally resonant films "A Single Man" (2009) and "Nocturnal Animals" (2016), is taking on the roles of writer, director, and producer for this project. "Cry to Heaven" delves into the world of opera in 18th-century Italy and centers around two men, Guido Maffeo and Tonio Treshi, whose lives intertwine in Venice. Guido, castrated at age six to preserve his soprano voice, becomes a star until he loses his voice and becomes a teacher. He then searches for a boy who can fulfill his lost dream. Tonio is castrated by his brother in an attempt to control their family line.
Adele joins a star-studded ensemble cast including Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, Thandiwe Newton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Hunter Schafer, Daryl McCormack, George MacKay, Paul Bettany, Owen Cooper, and Lux Pascal. While specific role details remain undisclosed, the impressive lineup suggests a complex and compelling narrative.
This marks a significant career move for Adele, who, after a string of sold-out shows in Munich last year, announced an indefinite break from music. In the past, Adele expressed interest in acting, stating she would definitely be in a film for Xavier Dolan, after working with him. Although she didn't appear in the final cut of his film, her song was featured.
"Cry to Heaven" is currently in pre-production in London and Rome, with filming scheduled to commence in January and a release date targeted for late fall 2026, positioning it for potential awards season recognition. Ford is self-financing the film, a decision he made to retain complete control over the underlying rights. He stated in 2016 that he would only make a movie if he controlled the underlying rights.
Ford has expressed a greater interest in filmmaking than fashion in recent years. In a GQ interview in 2023, he mentioned that filmmaking was the most fun he has ever had and would like to spend the next 20 years of his life making films.
"Cry to Heaven" follows a recent surge in Anne Rice adaptations, including a new take on "Interview with the Vampire," "Mayfair Witches," and "Talamasca: The Secret Order".
