Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg are rounding out the cast for a modern retelling of the film The War of the Roses. Based on the book of the same name, this new version is titled The Roses and will star Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch.
According to Deadline, the film will focus on Colman and Cumberbatch as Ivy and Theo, a couple that looks like they have the perfect family life, but in actuality, they hold grudges and resentment towards one another, especially as Theo’s life begins to crash down around him.
Also, starring in the film will be Ncuti Gatwa (Barbie and Doctor Who), Sunita Mani (Glow), Zoë Chao (The Afterparty), Jamie Demetriou (Cruella), and Belinda Bromilow (The Great). With the cast now rounded out, production on the film is set to begin this month.
As mentioned, this film will be a modern retelling of the 1989 film The War of the Roses, which starred Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, and had Danny Devito acting and directing. The film followed Devito as a divorce lawyer retelling a story to his new client about a time he worked with the Roses, Douglas and Turner, and how the couple fell into a downward spiral of mind games and physical attacks as their marriage crumbles to the ground.
The new film is set to be directed by Jay Roach (The Austin Powers Film Series), with the screenplay written by Tony McNamara (Poor Things). The film is being produced by Searchlight Pictures, along with Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch company. Matthew Greenfield, president of Searchlight Pictures, has stated that he is excited for this film to be made, highlighting the cast as a remarkable, hilarious, and outstanding ensemble to bring this story to a new audience.
The Roses currently does not have a release date.