EXCLUSIVE: Kate McKinnon and Andy Samberg have joined the cast of Jay Roach’s The Roses, starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. Ncuti Gatwa, Sunita Mani, Zoë Chao, Jamie Demetriou and Belinda Bromilow also are rounding out the cast of the film, which starts production this month. Written by Tony McNamara, The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 classic The War of the Roses, based on the novel by Warren Adler.
The story revolves around Ivy (Colman) and Theo (Cumberbatch), the picture-perfect couple who have successful careers, great kids and an enviable sex life. But underneath the façade of the perfect family is a tinderbox of competition and resentments that’s ignited when Theo’s professional dreams come crashing down. Producers are Cumberbatch under his SunnyMarch banner with Adam Ackland and Leah Clarke, Colman under the South of the River banner with Ed Sinclair and Tom Carver, along with Roach and Michelle Graham. Jonathan R. Adler and Michael Adler, from Adler Entertainment Trust, are executive producers.
“When Searchlight sent me Tony McNamara’s script, I was skeptical, because I loved the original film,” said Roach. “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.”
As of now no release date has been set.
“We feel so fortunate to be working with this remarkable, wonderfully hilarious group of actors,” said Matthew Greenfield, President of Searchlight Pictures. “Jay has truly assembled an astounding cast to bring a modernistic impression and contemporary relevance to this reimagining.”
Joining Roach behind the camera are director of photography Florian Hoffmeister, production designer Mark Ricker, editor Jon Poll, costume designer PC Williams and makeup designer Wakana Yoshihara.
“Partnering with Searchlight Pictures on this contemporary take of the classic movie, the stars have truly aligned,” added Adler Entertainment Trust CEO Jonathan R. Adler. “We are so pleased to continue the legacy of the Warren Adler brand and introduce The War of the Roses to a new generation.”
Director of Development & Production Pete Spencer and Vice President of Production Richard Ruiz are overseeing the project for Searchlight, reporting into Production Heads Katie Goodson-Thomas and DanTram Nguyen. The Roses marks the first project under a two-year first-look deal signed between Adler Entertainment Trust and Searchlight Pictures.
Best known for her multi-emmy winning role on Saturday Night Live, McKinnon’s most recent film credits include Oscar-winner Barbie, as well as Bombshell, Yesterday and The Spy Who Dumped Me. She will next star in Searchlight’s In the Blink of an Eye.
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Samberg can next be seen opposite Kate Winslet in the biographical film, Lee, directed by Ellen Kuras. Also upcoming, Samberg is set to star in and produce the action comedy, The Robots Go Crazy, directed by Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Most recently, Samberg appeared on Everybody’s In L.A. with John Mulaney.
BAFTA Award winner Gatwa currently stars in Doctor Who. Past projects include Barbie, Sex Education and Masters of the Air. Mani’s credits include roles in Mr. Robot, the comedy series GLOW, Spirited, Death of a Unicorn and Save Yourselves!.
Chao can most recently be seen in the sci-fi rom-com If You Were the Last opposite Anthony Mackie and in the romantic comedy, Your Place or Mine opposite Reese Witherspoon. She can be seen in Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch for Searchlight, opposite Amy Adams, and James Gunn’s animated series Creatures Commandos.
Demetriou is a BAFTA Award winner best known for his role in Stath Lets Flats, A Whole Lifetime With Jamie Demetriou and Barbie. Bromilow most recently starred in Primetime Emmy Award-winning The Great, and is also known for her role in the series Doctor Doctor and Spirited.
Samberg is represented by UTA; and McKinnon by CAA, Artists Firsts, Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
Gatwa is represented by Curtis Brown Group and UTA; Mani is repped by UTA and Mosaic; Chao by CAA, Management 360, Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham; Demetriou by United Agents and CAA; and Bromilow by Linsten Management and The Way.