‘The Roses’: Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman Set to Star in Remake of ‘War of the Roses’

In Searchlight’s ‘The Roses,’ Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman will play a turbulent couple from the 1989 comedy ‘The War of the Roses.’ Currently in development, the film is being directed by Jay Roach, who has a reputation for working in both comedy and drama. The screenplay was written by Tony McNamara, who won praise for his work on Searchlight’s ‘Poor Things’ and was based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel.

Danny DeVito helmed the first film, which told the tale of Oliver and Barbara Rose, an ideal pair whose union turns into a violent and acrimonious divorce. Colman and Cumberbatch will portray the couple in this adaptation.

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In addition to Colman’s South of the River banner, Michelle Graham and Roach will produce through Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch productions. Executive producers are Adler Entertainment Trust’s Jonathan R. Adler and Michael Adler.

Notable for his Oscar-nominated role in ‘The Imitation Game,’ Cumberbatch most recently starred in Wes Anderson’s ‘The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.’ Oscar winner for ‘The Favourite,’ Colman will next be seen in Warner Bros.’ ‘Wonka’ and is slated to play the lead role in ‘Paddington in Peru.’

Colman is represented by United Agents and CAA, while Cumberbatch is represented by UTA and Conway van Gelder. In Australia, UTA, Sugar23, Frankfurt Kurnit, and HLA Management represent McNamara, while Mosaic, Behr Abramson, and UTA represent Roach.

– Farheen Ali