Hollywood loves a remake and the latest to get a 21st Century makeover is The War of the Roses. A reimagining of the 1989 dark comedy, it’s been confirmed that Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) and Olivia Colman will be taking on the lead roles.
Now simply called The Roses, Tony McNamara (Oscar-nominated for Poor Things) has penned the script.
The New Roses
Cumberbatch and Colman will play married couple, Oliver and Barbara Rose – originally portrayed by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. For this remake, comedy director Jay Loach (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Bombshell (2019)) will be at the helm, with Searchlight Pictures producing the movie.
Colman’s South of the River company and Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch will also help produce the movie. As yet, no details have been revealed regarding the script and how it may, or may not stick to the original.
“The Roses is a wildly funny, bigger than life, and yet deeply human story… With Jay at the helm, and Benedict and Olivia and Tony, we have a dream team bringing it to life,” said Searchlight president Matthew Greenfield.
An 80s War of the Roses
The 1989 film was based on Warren Adler’s novel published in 1981. Directed by Danny DeVito, it tells the story of a seemingly happily married couple, with their perfect lives and their perfect mansion. However, this is not meant to be as Barbera comes to the realisation that not only does she not love Oliver anymore, but she despises him. In doing so she imagines life without him and likes what she sees.
From there both of them begin start a campaign to force the other out. Needless to say, events escalate rapidly and to extreme measures.
Cast and Release Date
Currently, only Cumberbatch and Colman have confirmed roles. Searchlight has yet to confirm when production will begin or a theatrical release window.
Are you a fan of the original? Or do you think The War of the Roses remake will be able to match it? Let us know in the comments below.
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