Hunter Schafer Joins Star-Studded Cast of Tom Ford’s New Film, ‘Cry to Heaven’
Hunter Schafer Cast in Tom Ford’s Highly Anticipated Return to Directing, ‘Cry to Heaven’
In a massive scoop for the entertainment industry and a powerful signal of her ascending career, Euphoria and The Hunger Games star Hunter Schafer has officially joined the colossal ensemble cast for director Tom Ford’s long-awaited third feature film, an adaptation of Anne Rice’s gothic opera novel, Cry to Heaven. The news confirms Ford’s cinematic return after nearly a decade and solidifies the project as one of the most talked-about productions heading into 2026.
The casting announcement, which also confirmed the involvement of music icon Adele in what will be her feature film debut, places Schafer amongst an astonishing roster of Hollywood heavyweights and rising stars. For Schafer, the role marks a significant move, further diversifying her filmography from teen drama to high-art, auteur-driven cinema, and reinforcing her position as a generational fashion and acting muse.
The Long-Awaited Return of Auteur Tom Ford
Tom Ford, the fashion magnate renowned for his directorial precision and aesthetic control in films like A Single Man (2009) and Nocturnal Animals (2016), is stepping back behind the camera for the first time since 2016. Ford is set to write, direct, and produce the new film, reportedly self-financing the project to ensure complete creative autonomy. His commitment to total control promises a visually stunning and emotionally intense experience, characteristics that have defined his previous acclaimed work. The production, shooting in London and Rome beginning in mid-January, is currently eyeing an anticipated late-autumn 2026 release.
The novel, Cry to Heaven, is a sensual and operatic tale set in 18th-century Italy. It follows the story of a young Venetian nobleman who is betrayed by his family and forced into the world of the castrati—male singers castrated before puberty to preserve their high vocal range. The narrative is rich with themes of identity, desire, betrayal, revenge, and the search for personal freedom, making it a perfect fit for Ford’s established cinematic interests in beauty, emotional complexity, and the lives of social outsiders.
A Powerhouse Ensemble: Schafer, Adele, and Lux Pascal
The sheer scale of the cast Tom Ford has assembled for Cry to Heaven is immediately newsworthy. Schafer joins what is arguably Ford’s largest and most star-studded ensemble to date. Confirmed names include Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Paul Bettany.
However, the casting of Schafer alongside Adele and Lux Pascal (sister to actor Pedro Pascal) generates a unique buzz. The combination of a celebrated transgender actress like Schafer, a revered queer writer’s source material (Anne Rice), and openly queer talent like Lux Pascal injects a powerful “queer energy” into the project, signaling a potentially profound exploration of identity and freedom within the historical setting of the opera world.
While specific details on Schafer’s role have not yet been disclosed, her established ability to deliver intense, emotional, and nuanced performances—as seen with her breakout role as Jules Vaughn in Euphoria and her praised turn as Tigris Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes—suggests a pivotal part in the film’s dramatic core. Given the novel’s focus on the operatic stage and the complex dynamics of the era, Schafer’s involvement points to Ford utilizing her distinctive presence and acclaimed acting chops for one of the story’s central, dramatic figures.
Career Trajectory: From Jules Vaughn to Auteur Muse
For Hunter Schafer, this new role in Cry to Heaven serves as a continuation of her strategic pivot toward highly curated, artistically ambitious cinema. After gaining massive critical attention and a dedicated fanbase from Euphoria, Schafer has been selective with her film choices. Her 2024 horror film Cuckoo, which premiered at SXSW, was her first lead role in a feature and was described as providing an “intense and emotional central performance”. She also appeared in a scene in Yorgos Lanthimos’s anthology film Kinds of Kindness in 2024, demonstrating her willingness to work with celebrated auteurs.
Joining a Tom Ford project—a director known for his meticulous, often controversial, and visually arresting storytelling—cements Schafer’s status as a serious and sought-after actress outside of the high-budget franchise world (like The Hunger Games prequel). The collaboration is also a perfect fusion of worlds: Schafer, a global brand ambassador for Prada and Mugler, teaming up with Ford, one of the most respected names in both fashion and film. The anticipation for the fashion moments and the red carpet looks alone is already soaring.
Ultimately, the news of Hunter Schafer’s casting in Cry to Heaven is a clear indicator that the actress is not just capitalizing on her Euphoria fame, but actively shaping a legacy defined by artistic challenges, diverse roles, and collaboration with the industry’s most visionary storytellers. The world of 18th-century Venetian opera is an entirely new stage for the star, and all eyes will be watching as she helps bring Tom Ford’s epic vision to life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Hunter Schafer’s new film, ‘Cry to Heaven,’ about?
A: Cry to Heaven is an adaptation of an Anne Rice novel set in 18th-century Italy. The story revolves around a betrayed Venetian nobleman who enters the world of the castrati, which were male singers castrated to maintain their high voices for opera. It explores themes of opera, revenge, desire, and identity.
Q: Who is directing the film?
A: The film is being directed by fashion designer and acclaimed filmmaker Tom Ford, marking his first directorial effort since 2016’s Nocturnal Animals.
Q: Who else is in the cast alongside Hunter Schafer?
A: Hunter Schafer is part of a massive ensemble cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, and, notably, music superstar Adele in her confirmed feature film debut. Lux Pascal has also joined the cast.
Q: When will ‘Cry to Heaven’ begin filming and when is the release date?
A: Filming is scheduled to begin in mid-January in London and Rome. The film is currently anticipated to be released in late-autumn 2026.
Q: Is Hunter Schafer returning for Euphoria Season 3?
A: While this film is a major new project, there has been no official news contradicting the expectation that Hunter Schafer will reprise her role as Jules Vaughn in the highly-anticipated third season of Euphoria, which is currently in development. However, her busy film schedule suggests her career is rapidly moving beyond the HBO series.
Q: What was Hunter Schafer’s last major film role?
A: Hunter Schafer starred in the horror film Cuckoo, which premiered at SXSW in 2024 and was her first lead role in a feature film. She also appeared in 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
Read More:
This Post Has 0 Comments