Tom Ford (Nocturnal Animals) has confirmed he will direct an adaptation of the Anne Rice novel Cry to Heaven. The screenplay has been written by Ford, who is also producing through his Fade To Black production company.

Set in 18th century Italy, the film stars Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Adele, Ciarán Hinds, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Owen Cooper, Daniel Quinn-Toye, Hunter Schafer, Josephine Thiesen, Thandiwe Newton, Theodore Pellerin, Daryl McCormack, Cassian Bilton, Hauk Hannemann and Lux Pascal.

The original novel follows the paths of two unlikely collaborators: a Venetian noble and a castrated singer from Calabria, both trying to succeed in the world of the opera. The story touches on themes of identity, betrayal, love and the pursuit of artistic and personal freedom, all ideas that fall right in Ford’s wheelhouse. He has explored these themes in his filmmaking as well in the world of fashion in the past.

Deadline first reported on the project.