Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s War of Wit in ’The Roses’

2025-08-20

“We had wanted to work together for a long time,” Benedict Cumberbatch tells Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott, reflecting on the project that finally united him with Olivia Colman. The new film adaptation of Warren Adler’s 1981 novel The War of the Roses was also made into a hit 1989 film starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. “It takes nothing away from the original film,” Colman says. “Ours is with a sort of respectful nod to it and has taken it in a slightly different direction.”

“We had wanted to work together for a long time,” Benedict Cumberbatch tells Newsweek’s H. Alan Scott, reflecting on the project that finally united him with Olivia Colman. The new film adaptation of Warren Adler’s 1981 novel The War of the Roses was also made into a hit 1989 film starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. “It takes nothing away from the original film,” Colman says. “Ours is with a sort of respectful nod to it and has taken it in a slightly different direction.”

Cumberbatch and Colman chatted with Newsweek about the new film, their pairing, and the comedic geniuses on set they were in awe of. This chat was witty and chaotic and delightful. It’s presented to you in full, unedited. You’re welcome.

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