Welcome to the Anne Rice Renaissance

Hey there, fellow Anne Rice enthusiasts! Is it totally bonkers to be excited about her work in the year 2025? Maybe! But let’s be real—ever since AMC dropped its marvelous adaptation of Interview with the Vampire in 2022, we’ve been cruising through a golden age of Anne Rice adaptations, and the fun isn’t slowing down anytime soon!

What’s Cooking in the Vampire World?

So, Interview is about to revamp itself as The Vampire Lestat when it struts back onto our screens for its much-anticipated third season next year. But wait, there’s more: The series has already spawned two fabulous spinoffs in AMC’s “Immortal Universe”—pardon my excitement, but I can’t be the only one losing it over Mayfair Witches and Talamasca: The Secret Order! And the whispers out there? Rumors of even more shows in the pipeline! Seriously, give me a Marius series, pretty please! (Yes, I’m looking at you, Mark Johnson—Pandora is just waiting for its moment!)

But We’re Not Just Sticking to Vampires

Now, here comes the plot twist in our Rice Renaissance: We’re breaking away from vampires! Fashion aficionado and occasional director Tom Ford is stepping into Anne’s world to work on a feature film adaptation of Cry to Heaven, one of her most poetic and, let’s face it, downright bizarre stories. Picture this: 18th-century Italy, a world filled with enigmatic male singers known as castrati. Yup, these guys were castrated before puberty just to keep their high notes intact for choirs and operas. Talk about dedication!

The Story Behind the Melodrama

At the heart of Cry to Heaven are two characters on a tumultuous journey: Guido Maffeo, a peasant who faced this dramatic fate at age six, and his later pupil, Tonio Treschi, born to a Venetian noble family. As they navigate the cutthroat opera scene, the stage is set for a gripping tale filled with revenge, family drama, and political shenanigans. And, of course, it’s Anne Rice, so expect a hearty serving of seduction and a sprinkle of violence, all wrapped in her signature luscious prose!

Tom Ford’s Vision

Tom Ford will not only write and direct this project but also produce it. With the book’s lavish setting and dramatic narrative, he is the perfect fit to breathe life into this story. Expect him to explore themes like identity and betrayal as our characters wrestle with their identities after becoming castrati.

Star-Studded Cast Alert!

Now, let’s talk about the cast—just take a deep breath before you read this lineup: Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Owen Cooper, Hunter Schafer, Thandiwe Newton, Daryl McCormack, and did I mention Lux Pascal, who is Pedro Pascal’s sister? Yup, it’s a star-studded extravaganza! And here’s an exciting tidbit: pop sensation Adele is making her feature film debut in this flick. If she doesn’t sing in this movie, I’ll eat my metaphorical hat!

What’s Next?

While the details about who’s playing whom are still under wraps, filming is slated to kick off in early 2026. With an eye on a fall release, let’s hope that we won’t have to twiddle our thumbs for too long waiting to find out more!