Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman to Star in "The War of the Roses" Remake

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman have signed on to star in “The Roses,” a reimagining of the 1989 classic “The War of the Roses.”

The dark comedy is currently in development and hails from director Jay Roach (“Bombshell,” “Meet the Parents”) and scripted by Tony McNamara (“Poor Things,” “The Great”) based on the novel by Warren Adler.

The pic follows picture-perfect couple Theo (Cumberbatch) and Ivy (Colman), who have successful careers and great kids, but underneath the façade is a tinderbox of competition and resentment that’s ignited when Theo’s professional dreams come crashing down.

“‘The Roses’ is a wildly funny, bigger than life, and yet deeply human story, with Jay at the helm, and Benedict and Olivia and Tony, we have a dream team bringing it to life,” said Searchlight president Matthew Greenfield announcing the project. 

Cumberbatch will produce under his SunnyMarch banner with Leah Clarke and Adam Ackland, who have been in development on the project since 2017, Colman also produces under her South of the River banner with Ed Sinclair and Tom Carver, alongside Roach and Michelle Graham.

“We are thrilled to be working on this very special film with such an incredible team,” SunnyMarch’s Ackland said. “We have been long admirers of Jay’s work and his vision and passion to tell this story is incredibly inspiring.”

South of the River’s Colman and Sinclair commented, “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. He and Tony are a match made in cinematic comedy heaven.”

Jonathan R. Adler and Michael Adler, from Adler Entertainment Trust, are executive producing. “The Roses” marks the first project under a two-year first-look deal signed between Adler Entertainment Trust and Searchlight Pictures.

“Working with our partners at Searchlight Pictures in this reimagining of the classic movie is a dream come true,” Jonathan R. Adler said. “We are delighted to continue the legacy of our father’s brilliant work and introduce ‘The War of the Roses’ to a new generation.”

20th Century Fox released the original adaptation of “The War of the Roses” novel in 1989, directed by Danny DeVito and starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. The film won numerous awards and garnered one BAFTA and three Golden Globe nominations, including for Best Motion Picture.

Paul Hoffman negotiated the overall deal for Searchlight Pictures with Jeff Silberman of King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano for Adler Entertainment Trust. Searchlight VP of Production Richard Ruiz and Director of Development & Production Pete Spencer are overseeing the project, reporting to Searchlight Production Heads DanTram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas.