Benedict Cumberbatch’s 1989 Cult Classic Remake Finally Gets a Release Date

Just one month after the most recent Oscars ceremony, things might be already moving forward for next year’s awards season as a highly anticipated movie has just received its release date.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, the upcoming film, announced roughly a year ago, is coming as a remake of a 1989 dark comedy; the latter was a big hit back in the day, taking home a collection of prestigious awards and becoming a cult classic with time.

A new take on the same story might be the one to show up on the list of the awards season’s possible contenders as well.

The Roses Sets August Release Date

Announced back in 2024, the movie, apparently, went into full production mode quite quickly as, according to Variety, the future black comedy is now scheduled for a theatrical release worldwide on August 29.

While it hasn’t been revealed whether director Jay Roach will adapt some changes from a previous adaptation helmed by Danny DeVito, the film will likely become a modernised refreshing view on the story initially based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel The War of Roses.

As The Roses’ official synopsis reads, “life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy (Colman) and Theo (Cumberbatch) successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing – as Theo’s career nosedives while Ivy’s own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites.”

Still, It Might Be Hard for The Roses to Surpass Danny DeVito’s 1989 Movie

Even with Cumberbatch and Colman as leads, as well as with Poor Things and The Great’s writer Tony McNamara at helm, The Roses might suffer significantly from a pretty much expected comparison to Danny DeVito’s The War of Roses which came as the first adaptation of the eponymous novel.

Starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, the original film was praised by critics and audiences for the unmatched chemistry between the leading actors, as well as for writing and directing.

The War of Roses also had an incredible success in the box office, grossing $160 million against its budget of $28 million.

Eventually, the movie received nods from BAFTA and Golden Globes and didn’t win any, though remains everyone’s darling with scores of 83% and 71% from critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.