British singer Adele is set to make her feature film acting debut in director Tom Ford's adaptation of Anne Rice's 1982 novel Cry to Heaven. The project, starring Colin Firth, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicholas Hoult, and others, begins filming in early 2026 after pre-production in London and Rome. The film is slated for a late 2026 release.
Project Overview
Tom Ford, known for directing A Single Man in 2009 and Nocturnal Animals in 2016, is adapting Anne Rice's historical novel Cry to Heaven. The story is set in 18th-century Italy and follows a Venetian noble and a castrated singer navigating the opera world. Ford is directing, writing, producing, and reportedly self-financing the film, marking his third feature.
Cast and Production Details
Adele joins a star-studded cast including Colin Firth, Aaron Taylor-Johnson—recently seen in Kraven the Hunter and 28 Years Later—Nicholas Hoult, Mark Strong, Thandiwe Newton, and 15-year-old Owen Cooper, who earned a Young Emmy for Netflix's Adolescence. No specific role for Adele has been announced, though the novel's musical themes align with her background as a singer. Pre-production is underway in London and Rome, with principal photography starting in mid-January 2026, primarily in London. The film is expected to hit theaters in late 2026.
Adele's Background
This marks Adele's first onscreen acting role, following a cameo as herself in a 2009 episode of Ugly Betty. She has expressed interest in acting since 2018, when she considered a part in Xavier Dolan's The Death and Life of John F. Donovan but ultimately contributed music instead. Adele has been on hiatus from music since completing her Las Vegas residency in November 2024 and a brief Munich run, with no new album announced.
