Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman Set to Star in The Remake of 1989 Dark Comedy

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman are coming together for the remake of the 1989 satirical The War of the Roses, which was based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Warren Adler. Now, the film will be reimagined by Jay Roach, who will be helming the film with the responsibility of doing justice to the original film and the novel it is adapted from. With a remake of the film, the creators have decided to tweak the title a bit, giving it a new title, The Roses. Meanwhile, the premise of the film stays the same as the earlier adaptation. 

Everything to know about the upcoming remake starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman

The upcoming dark comedy film starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman in the lead roles is a remake of the 1989 film The War of the Roses. The original film featured Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. They played the role of the lead characters, Oliver Rose and Barbara Rose, respectively. The story revolves around the life of a wealthy couple with a seemingly perfect marriage. However, things take a turn when the wife, Barbara Rose, starts losing interest in her husband. Their marriage begins to fall apart, which causes their decision to get a divorce. However, the divorce battle starts viciously. It only escalates from there as humiliation, sabotage, and violence take hold of both sides. 

Both Douglas and Turner gave commendable performances as Oliver and Barbara. Now, with Cumberbatch and Colman replacing them as the lead actors in the remake, it will be interesting to see if they can capture the same magic on screen.

However, considering Cumberbatch and Colman’s acting careers, both are incredible actors who have proved their versatility throughout their careers. 

Cumberbatch is prominently known for his portrayal of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His other acting credits include films like The Imitation Game (2014) and The Power of the Dog (2021), for which he received Oscar nominations for Best Actor. 

Meanwhile, Colman is also a renowned name in the film industry. She has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. She has appeared in films like The Night Manager (2016), The Crown, and more. 

The film, previously helmed by Danny Devito, is now being directed by Jay Roach. He is known primarily for directing comedy films. In fact, his notable directorial credits include Austin Powers, Meet the Parents, Game Change, and Recount. 

The upcoming film is penned by Tony McNamara, who earned an Oscar nomination for writing Searchlight’s acclaimed Poor Things.

Cumberbatch is producing under his SunnyMarch banner with the company’s Leah Clarke and Adam Ackland. Colman, on the other hand, will produce under her South of the River banner with partners Ed Sinclair and Tom Carver. Additionally, Roach and Michelle Graham are also producing. Jonathan R. Adler and Michael Adler, from Adler Entertainment Trust, are executive producing. 

The release date of the remake film The Roses is yet to be declared.