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- Adele’s unexpected move from music to acting
- What Cry to Heaven is about and why it matters
- Who else is in the cast: A roster of established actors
- Production details: locations, schedule, and the release window
- Tom Ford’s creative and financial role
- Why the adaptation draws attention
- Adele’s screen résumé and timing
- What to watch next for fans and film observers
Adele is stepping into a new arena. The singer has been tapped for a screen role in Tom Ford’s film version of Anne Rice’s Cry to Heaven, a project that promises spectacle, a high-profile ensemble, and a tentative late-fall 2026 release.
Adele’s unexpected move from music to acting
After pausing her music career following a Las Vegas residency, Adele appears ready to broaden her creative reach. Her exact part in the film is being kept under wraps. Industry insiders, however, confirm her involvement.
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This will be Adele’s first major acting role beyond occasional television cameos and her well-known Saturday Night Live performances.
What Cry to Heaven is about and why it matters
Anne Rice’s 1982 novel explores passion, ambition, and sacrifice in 18th-century Italy. The narrative centers on boys altered to preserve their voices and the men who rise and fall within that world.
The story follows a celebrated singer turned teacher who searches for a protégé to reclaim the artistry he lost. Themes of identity, beauty, and power run throughout the source material.
Who else is in the cast: A roster of established actors
The ensemble is notable for blending veteran performers and rising stars. The cast includes:
- Nicholas Hoult
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Ciarán Hinds
- George MacKay
- Mark Strong
- Colin Firth
- Paul Bettany
- Hunter Schafer
- Thandiwe Newton
- Josephine Thiesen
- Theodore Pellerin
- Daryl McCormack
- Owen Cooper
- Cassian Bilton
- Hauk Hannemann
- Lux Pascal
- Daniel Quinn-Toye
The breadth of talent signals a film that aims for dramatic depth and awards-season visibility.
Production details: locations, schedule, and the release window
Pre-production is underway in both London and Rome. Producers plan to begin principal photography in mid-January.
- Principal photography start: mid-January
- Primary locations: London and Rome
- Anticipated release: late fall 2026
Producers and insiders expect a deliberate shoot schedule, given the period setting and vocal performance demands in the story.
Tom Ford’s creative and financial role
Tom Ford adapted the novel for the screen and will direct the film under his Fade To Black banner. He is also producing the project.
Ford has chosen to self-finance the film rather than rely on studio backing. After production wraps, he plans to take the finished movie to market.
Ford’s personal wealth gives him flexibility. In 2023, he sold his fashion house to Estée Lauder for approximately $2.83 billion.
Ford’s filmmaking track record
Ford returns to directing after a gap since Nocturnal Animals. His earlier films earned critical acclaim and festival recognition.
Actors in this project have history with Ford. Aaron Taylor-Johnson won a Golden Globe for a role in one of Ford’s films. Colin Firth received awards attention for his work with Ford as well.
Why the adaptation draws attention
Cry to Heaven’s blend of period drama, music, and moral complexity makes it ripe for a cinematic retelling. The narrative challenges include portraying historical vocal practice and emotional nuance.
With Ford’s visual sensibility and a cast that spans leading men and character actors, the adaptation aims to balance artistry with commercial appeal.
Adele’s screen résumé and timing
While Adele has a global music profile, her acting résumé is minimal. She has made limited screen appearances, including a TV cameo in the early 2000s.
Her transition to feature film acting arrives at a moment when she has stepped back from touring to focus on new projects.
What to watch next for fans and film observers
- Official casting confirmations and role announcements
- First images or set reports once filming begins
- Festival plans and sprint toward a late-2026 release
As production moves forward, more details will likely surface about Adele’s character and the creative direction Tom Ford will take with this adaptation.
