Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch are married folks from hell in “The Roses.” The feature is a remake of 1989 film “The War of the Roses,” which starred “Romancing the Stone” alums Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, with Danny DeVito directing. “The Roses” now is written by “The Favourite” and “Poor Things” screenwriter Tony McNamara, a reunion for “The Favourite” Academy Award winner Colman.
The official synopsis reads: “Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy (Colman) and Theo (Cumberbatch): successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing – as Theo’s career nosedives while Ivy’s own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites. ‘The Roses’ is a reimagining of the 1989 classic film The War of the Roses, based on the novel by Warren Adler.”
Jay Roach directs and produces, along with fellow producers Michelle Graham, Adam Ackland, Leah Clarke, Ed Sinclair, and Tom Carver. Colman and Cumberbatch also produce, with Colman’s South of the River and Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch banner behind the project.
“‘The Roses’ is a wildly funny, bigger than life, and yet deeply human story,” Searchlight president Matthew Greenfield told Variety. “With Jay at the helm, and Benedict and Olivia and Tony, we have a dream team bringing it to life.”
Colman previously told IndieWire she would definitely reunite with “The Roses” screenwriter McNamara’s longtime collaborator Yorgos Lanthimos, whom Colman worked with on “The Favourite.” “I mean, I would work with him again for free any time, to be honest,” Colman said of Lanthimos, “and I think he probably knows that. I know whenever he wins everything, and I text him and go, ‘You’re amazing!’”
Colman will next appear in the “Pride and Prejudice” series as well as a romance film co-starring Dev Patel. Emma Corrin leads the “Pride and Prejudice” series and also executive produces.
Cumberbatch starred in 2024’s “Eric” and Wes Anderson’s “Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.” He is expected to reprise his role as Doctor Strange in the MCU with the latest phase.
“The Roses” premieres in theaters August 29. Check out the trailer below.
