Adele is trading the microphone for the silver screen. The Grammy-winning superstar is officially making her acting debut in Tom Ford’s highly anticipated adaptation of Anne Rice’s Cry to Heaven, marking one of the most unexpected — and exciting — career pivots in recent years.
The “Chasing Pavements” singer, 37, has reportedly joined the ensemble cast of the 18th-century drama, which is set for a late fall 2026 release. While her exact role remains under wraps, industry insiders describe it as “significant,” hinting that Adele’s performance could surprise even her most devoted fans.
According to Deadline, the film is currently in pre-production between London and Rome, with principal photography expected to begin in mid-January.
A Dark, Lush Tale of Music and Obsession
Based on Rice’s 1982 novel of the same name, Cry to Heaven tells the haunting story of two young men castrated to preserve their angelic soprano voices in 18th-century Italy — an era when “castrati” singers were both idolized and exploited.
The novel’s synopsis describes one of them, Guido Maffeo, who is castrated at age six and becomes a musical prodigy until he tragically loses his voice. Broken but driven, Guido devotes his life to finding a boy who can fulfill the dream stolen from him — a quest filled with beauty, vengeance, and moral conflict.
The project reunites several major names in British cinema. Joining Adele are Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Owen Cooper, and Daniel Quinn-Toye.
The star-studded ensemble also includes Hunter Schafer, Thandiwe Newton, Daryl McCormack, Lux Pascal, and Theodore Pellerin, adding global flair to what is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most ambitious dramas.
Tom Ford’s Bold Return to Film
Fashion icon turned filmmaker Tom Ford, 64, is writing, directing, and producing the film through his Fade To Black production company — marking his first return to cinema in nearly a decade.
His last film, Nocturnal Animals (2016), was a critical and commercial triumph, winning the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and earning multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.
Ford’s 2009 directorial debut, A Single Man, also earned widespread acclaim, with Colin Firth receiving an Oscar nomination and BAFTA win for his performance.
This time, Ford is taking an even bolder approach. Instead of relying on studio financing, he is self-funding the entire project — a rare move in modern filmmaking. After production wraps, he plans to take the film to market himself.
It’s a risk only a man of Ford’s resources could afford. In 2023, he sold his namesake fashion empire to Estée Lauder for a staggering $2.83 billion, securing full creative freedom for his next chapter in Hollywood.
Adele’s New Era
For Adele, Cry to Heaven represents a bold artistic evolution. After concluding her blockbuster Las Vegas residency last year, she announced plans to take a break from music to “live a little” — and now, it seems that break has turned into a new adventure.
The singer, known for her powerhouse vocals and emotional storytelling, has only dabbled in acting before. Aside from hosting Saturday Night Live and a brief cameo in Ugly Betty in the early 2000s, she has largely stayed behind the microphone.
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Now, she’s stepping into the cinematic world under one of fashion’s most visually driven directors, whose work is known for its meticulous aesthetic and emotional depth.
Insiders close to the production say Adele’s casting reflects Ford’s desire for “authentic emotional resonance” — something the singer has delivered throughout her career. “Adele brings a rare presence and rawness that can’t be taught,” one industry source told Variety. “She understands heartbreak, transformation, and performance — and that’s what Cry to Heaven is all about.”
Given the film’s operatic themes and exploration of the human voice, Adele’s involvement feels almost poetic. The story’s central motif — the loss of one’s voice as both a tragedy and a transformation — mirrors the emotional power of her own musical journey.
Though she’s not confirmed to sing in the film, speculation is already swirling that Ford may integrate her vocal talents into the score or soundtrack. With Adele’s voice, the film could bridge the worlds of cinema and music in a way few projects have managed before.
Cry to Heaven marks a major moment for both Adele and Tom Ford — a collaboration that fuses star power, artistry, and risk-taking in equal measure. With filming set to begin in early 2026, the movie is already generating massive buzz across Hollywood and the fashion world alike.
