Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman to star in reboot of classic movie
British acting royalty Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman are set to appear in a reboot of the 1989 movie The War of the Roses. Titled The Roses, the reboot is directed by Jay Roach, with Tony McNamara adapting the Warren Adler novel for the screenplay.
The dark comedy stars Cumberbatch as Theo and Colman as Ivy, a seemingly perfect couple with great careers, a successful family unit and a healthy sex life. However, under the surface, simmering envies and rivalries threaten to pull the family apart when Theo’s career plans fall by the wayside.
Matthew Greenfield, the president of Searchlight Pictures, announced the new project this week, describing The Roses as “wildly funny, bigger than life” but also “deeply human”. He continued, adding how, with the talent of Cumberbatch, Colman and Roach on board, the project has a “dream team” sure to find success.
The announcement from Searchlight also confirms that Cumberbatch and Colman are taking on production duties alongside Leah Clarke, Adam Ackland, Roach and Michelle Graham. Cumberbatch works with his SunnyMarch company title, while Colman produces under her South of the River brand.
Jonathan R. Adler and Michael Adler of Adler Entertainment Trust serve as executive producers in their inaugural endeavour, which resulted from a two-year first-look agreement between Adler Entertainment Trust and Searchlight Pictures.
Ackland, who works for SunnyMarch, has released a new statement. “We are thrilled to be working on this very special film with such an incredible team,” he announced this week. “We have been long admirers of Jay’s work.” Ackland added that with Roach’s “vision” and “passion”, he has every confidence in the project.
Meanwhile, Colman and Sinclair of South of the River revealed that they have been attached to the project since 2017. “It has been an absolute thrill to see it spring into life under Jay’s passionate and thoughtful guidance,” they announced. “He and Tony are a match made in cinematic comedy heaven.”
“Working with our partners at Searchlight Pictures in this reimagining of the classic movie is a dream come true,” Adler Entertainment Trust added to the announcement. “We are delighted to continue the legacy of our father’s brilliant work and introduce The War of the Roses to a new generation.”
The original adaptation, The War of the Roses, was directed by Danny DeVito and starred Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in the lead roles as Barbara and Oliver Rose, the feuding couple. Meanwhile, DeVito starred as the lawyer Cavin D’Amato. The three stars had previously collaborated on the classic fantasy comedies Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile.
Watch the trailer for The War of the Roses below.
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