Tom Ford returns to filmmaking with Cry to Heaven, an adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel set in 18th-century Italy, with Adele making her feature film acting debut in the project. The film marks Ford’s first feature in almost a decade and has generated immediate attention due to Adele’s casting. Ford will write, direct and produce the self-financed adaptation, continuing the full-control approach that shaped A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals.
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Cry to Heaven unfolds within the ornate environment of Italian opera, where castrati singers held roles of extraordinary influence. Ford’s adaptation follows two central characters: a Venetian noble and a young peasant whose soprano voice leads to castration. Their connection forms through talent, power and emotional volatility. The narrative tracks their shifting loyalties and the impact of a tradition that preserves beauty through physical cost.
Adele enters this world after completing her Las Vegas residency and announcing an open-ended break from music. Her involvement in the film marks a major artistic shift. The announcement expands her creative path at a moment when she signaled a desire to explore new forms of expression.
Ford assembles a cast that reflects both continuity and expansion. Nicholas Hoult and Colin Firth, who have previously appeared in Ford’s films, join the project once again. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Bettany and Hunter Schafer add further range to the ensemble. Additional cast members include Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Owen Cooper, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Josephine Thiesen, Thandiwe Newton, Theodore Pellerin, Daryl McCormack, Cassian Bilton, Hauk Hannemann and Lux Pascal.
Production is scheduled to begin in London and Rome in January 2026. These locations place the film inside the architectural and cultural environments that define Rice’s world. Ford’s style has long relied on controlled settings, considered visual language and close attention to character. Cry to Heaven gives him a wide canvas shaped by music, hierarchy and the pursuit of excellence. The film is projected to release in late Fall 2026.
Ford is self-financing the production and plans to secure a distributor once filming concludes. This approach mirrors his earlier projects, offering him the freedom to shape the film without external influence. His previous features found success through strong visual identity, sharp character work and an ability to translate emotional precision onto the screen.
