Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, two acclaimed British actors, are set to star in a new film titled The Roses, a reimagining of the 1989 dark comedy The War of the Roses. The original movie, directed by Danny DeVito, depicted the tumultuous divorce of a seemingly perfect couple, Oliver and Barbara Rose, played by Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner.
The Roses, currently in development at Searchlight, will be directed by Jay Roach, known for his work in both comedy and drama genres. The script, based on Warren Adler's 1981 novel, is penned by Tony McNamara, the writer behind Searchlight's Oscar-winning film Poor Things.
In the upcoming film, Cumberbatch and Colman will portray the central couple, navigating a storyline filled with escalating tensions, humiliations, and acts of sabotage. Cumberbatch's production company, SunnyMarch, will be involved in the project, along with Colman's production banner, Her South of the River.
Both actors have garnered critical acclaim for their performances in various films. Cumberbatch, known for his role in The Imitation Game, recently appeared in Wes Anderson's adaptation of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. Colman, an Oscar winner for The Favourite, was last seen in Wonka and is set to star in Paddington in Peru.
The film's production team includes Roach, Michelle Graham, and executive producers Jonathan R. Adler and Michael Adler from Adler Entertainment Trust. Cumberbatch is represented by UTA and Conway van Gelder, while Colman is represented by CAA and United Agents, and Roach by UTA, Mosaic, and Behr Abramson.
