If you say the phrase "war of the roses," chances are that most movie watchers will think of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as a combative couple rather than any historical bobbins between the houses of Lancaster and York. But going forward, film fans may instead picture Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as the troubled pair, as they're starring in a reimagining of the William Adler novel that Danny DeVito brought to screens back in 1989.
Jay Roach, who has swung between comedy and political movies, is on board to direct what will this time be simply titled The Roses, with Poor Things' Tony McNamara writing the adaptation.
Cumberbatch and Colman will produce as well as starring as Theo and Ivy, who are seemingly living their Best Life. They've got successful careers, wonderful kids and an enviable sexual chemistry. But alas! Lurking underneath that seemingly perfect family façade is a tinderbox of personal competition and seething resentments that is ignited to dramatic effect when Theo’s professional dreams fail.
Searchlight Pictures is backing this one, which is still in development. "The Roses is a wildly funny, bigger than life, and yet deeply human story,” says Searchlight president Matthew Greenfield. "With Jay at the helm, and Benedict and Olivia and Tony, we have a dream team bringing it to life."
Cumberbatch and his SunnyMarch team seem just as excited: "We are thrilled to be working on this very special film with such an incredible team," they say in a statement. "We have been long admirers of Jay’s work and his vision and passion to tell this story is incredibly inspiring."
"We have been cooking this up with our friends at SunnyMarch for some time, and it has been an absolute thrill to see it spring into life under Jay’s passionate and thoughtful guidance," says Colman's company in its own announcement. "He and Tony are a match made in cinematic comedy heaven."