Kathleen Turner returned to the spotlight this week, stepping onto the red carpet for the premiere of “The Roses,” a modern remake of the 1989 classic “The War of the Roses.”
The 71-year-old actress, best known for originating the role of Barbara Rose opposite Michael Douglas, turned heads at the Hudson Theatre on Monday, Aug. 25 in a sleek black dress and sandals, marking one of her rare public outings in recent years.
(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Turner told USA Today ahead of the appearance that she would be attending.
“I do plan to see ’The Roses’ at the premiere in NYC,” she stated. “Should be fun and I have a bet with myself that they don’t die.”
Revisiting a Cult Classic
The original “War of the Roses,” directed by Danny DeVito, became a box office hit in 1989, skewering the brutal unraveling of a wealthy couple’s marriage.
Turner’s sharp, fiery performance as Barbara Rose earned critical acclaim and cemented the film’s legacy as a dark comedy classic.
The iconic actress recalled how it was to film the movie years ago.
(Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Searchlight Pictures)
“I remember that sometimes the anger seemed too real, so we made a pact that no one left set without hugging the others!” Turner said. “I don’t think these are the feelings brought up by divorce − at least I surely hope not.”
In “The Roses,” the story has been reimagined with Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch playing Ivy and Theo Rose. Andy Samberg steps into DeVito’s role as the couple’s confidant, alongside Kate McKinnon, Allison Janney and Ncuti Gatwa.
Cumberbath added what the original film meant to him while speaking with USA Today.
“It was an iconic film that we both remember from our youth,” he noted, “and (we’re) big Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas fans.”
Turner’s Legacy and Health Journey
While Turner has stepped back from frequent Hollywood appearances, she remains a respected presence in the industry.
Over the years, she has been candid about living with rheumatoid arthritis, which has limited her ability to take on certain roles.
In August 2018, Turner gave a candid interview with Vulture on how the condition has changed her life.
“It’s hard to understand the level of pain that this disease brings,” she bravely told the outlet.
She recalled when she was first diagnosed. “Rheumatoid arthritis hit in my late 30s — the last of my years in which Hollywood would consider me a sexually appealing leading lady,” she said.
