Jay Roachis rounding out the cast of his star-studded remake ofThe War of the Roses, and he’s bringing a Time Lord along for the ride.Ncuti Gatwahas been confirmed to join the film, according to a report by Deadline.The Roses, a reimagining of the 1989 classic, is set to start production this month and boasts a cast that includesOlivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch,Kate McKinnon, and Andy Samberg,both of whom have also just jumped aboard the project today. Also joining the ensemble areSunita Mani, Zoë Chao, Jamie Demetriou, and Belinda Bromilow. Gatwa is currently appearing asThe Fifteenth Doctor in the BBC and Disney+ seriesDoctor Who.
The Roses, written byTony McNamara, will revisit those darkly comedic themes of the originalThe War of the Roses, which was adapted fromWarren Adler’snovel. The story centers on Ivy (Colman) and Theo (Cumberbatch), a seemingly perfect couple whose lives unravel when Theo’s professional ambitions collapse, exposing deep-seated resentments and competition.“When Searchlight sent me Tony McNamara’s script, I was skeptical, because I loved the original film,” Roach remarked. “But as a fan of Tony’s darkly hilarious writing, and with Olivia and Benedict attached, I should have known it would go a new and wonderful direction. Adding in this phenomenal dream cast will make this relatable love-story/divorce story a wild cautionary tale.”
Joining Roach behind the camera are director of photographyFlorian Hoffmeister, production designerMark Ricker, editorJon Poll, costume designerPC Williams, and makeup designerWakana Yoshihara.“Partnering with Searchlight Pictures on this contemporary take of the classic movie, the stars have truly aligned,” added Adler Entertainment Trust CEOJonathan R. Adler. “We are so pleased to continue the legacy of the Warren Adler brand and introduceThe War of the Rosesto a new generation.”
What Was the Original ‘War of the Roses’ About?
The originalThe War of the Roses, directed byDanny DeVitoand starringMichael DouglasandKathleen Turner, was both a critical and commercial success. The film was praised for its dark humour and the intense performances of its leads, earning multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe nod for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Its exploration of a marriage collapsing dramatically, through a bitingly satirical lens, has left an indelible mark on Hollywood, which has tried to replicate the same levels of success since its release. The film also starredMarianne Sägebrecht,Dan Castellaneta,Sean Astin, andDavid Wohl,and grossed $160 million worldwide.
