British music icon and 16-time Grammy winner Adele is preparing to transition from the stage to the screen as she takes on her first-ever acting role. The global superstar will make her Hollywood debut in Tom Ford’s new film Cry to Heaven, an adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel. The project brings Adele into the world of cinema alongside an impressive cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Hunter Schafer, and Thandiwe Newton.
Cry to Heaven is a period drama set in 18th-century Italy, centering on the intertwined lives of a Venetian aristocrat and a castrated opera singer. The film will be directed, written, and produced by fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford, known for acclaimed works such as A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals.
The movie is now in early pre-production in London and Rome, with filming scheduled to begin in January 2026. Tom Ford is reportedly financing the film independently and will seek distribution after production is complete. Cry to Heaven is expected to release in fall 2026.
For Adele, the project marks a bold new chapter after completing her Las Vegas residency and expressing an interest in expanding her creative pursuits beyond music. The singer previously revealed she planned to take a break from recording new albums to explore different artistic avenues — and her acting debut now sets the stage for an exciting era in her career.