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Adele is taking a bold step from concert stages to movie sets, joining a high-profile film adaptation of Anne Rice’s Cry to Heaven. The news has fans and industry watchers buzzing as the singer prepares to trade tracks for a period drama crafted by fashion auteur-turned-filmmaker Tom Ford.
A big-screen debut: Adele joins an ensemble cast
Sources say Adele will make her acting debut in the film version of Anne Rice’s novel. She is set to appear alongside a roster of established actors, creating one of the season’s most talked-about ensembles.
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- Nicholas Hoult
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Ciarán Hinds
- George MacKay
- Mark Strong
- Colin Firth
- Paul Bettany
- Owen Cooper
- Daniel Quinn-Toye
- Hunter Schafer
- Josephine Thiesen
- Thandiwe Newton
- Theodore Pellerin
- Daryl McCormack
- Cassian Bilton
- Hauk Hannemann
- Lux Pascal
Tom Ford at the helm: vision and production
Designer-turned-director Tom Ford adapted the screenplay and will produce and direct the film through his Fade To Black company. His involvement brings a reputation for meticulous craft and striking visuals.
Ford’s creative stamp signals a stylized period piece, and industry insiders expect his eye for detail to shape the film’s look and tone.
What Cry to Heaven explores: the story and setting
Anne Rice’s 1995 novel travels to 18th-century Italy. It examines the world of the castrati — male singers prized for their unique voices. The book contrasts public adulation with private pain, set against Venice’s opulence and Naples’ volatility.
- Time period: 1700s Italy
- Themes: fame, identity, power, and vulnerability
- Locations in the story: Venice, Naples, and the shadow of Vesuvius
Where and when filming will begin
The project is reportedly in pre-production in both London and Rome. Principal photography is scheduled to start in mid-January, with a target release in late fall 2026.
Production plans call for on-location shoots to capture period architecture and coastal landscapes. Costume and set design will likely be central to recreating 18th-century Italy.
Adele’s career pivot: from music residency to acting
Adele is no stranger to screens. She hosted Saturday Night Live in 2020 and had a cameo on Ugly Betty in 2009. Still, Cry to Heaven represents a step into full-length feature acting.
Her recent residency, Weekends with Adele at Caesars Palace, wrapped in 2024 after nearly two years. Following that run, she announced a pause in her music career, saying she plans to take a long break from performing.
- Residency end: 2024
- Public break from music: announced September 2024
- Previous screen experience: SNL (2020), Ugly Betty cameo (2009)
What fans and critics are watching for
Audiences are curious about how Adele’s stage presence will translate to cinema. Will her expressive voice and emotional delivery shape her performance in a dramatic role?
Unanswered questions include whether this film marks a one-off acting experiment or the start of a parallel career in movies.
Signs to look out for as production progresses
- Official casting confirmations for specific roles
- Teaser images or behind-the-scenes stills from London and Rome sets
- Announcements about costume designers and composers
- Release of a trailer ahead of the planned late 2026 opening
