Culture / Film

Justice for Rosaline – A new ‘Romeo and Juliet’ adaptation is told from the perspective of Romeo’s ex

rosaline film

Most of us have read Romeo and Juliet thanks to eighth grade english. Thinking back on The Bard's play, there's a lot that gets glossed over in this enduring tale about star-crossed lovers. Say, how Romeo Montague is actually something of a f*ck boy? In case you've repressed the memory of reading the play, when we first meet Romeo in Act 1, Scene 1 the teen is pining dramatically after Rosaline. And in this new film from Hulu, entitled Rosaline, director Marc Webb asks what became of the woman who preceded Juliet?

What is Rosaline about?

In this comedy film, Webb reimagines the hackneyed story of Romeo and Juliet from the perspective of Rosaline – Romeo's first love or ex, depending on what way you look at it. In the film, Rosaline is on a mission to break Romeo and Juliet up, and it looks altogether lighthearted and promising.

As far as being "the one before the one" goes, Rosaline is practically its poster girl. Some of the most memorable lines from Romeo and Juliet were actually about Rosaline. Think, "O brawling love, O loving hate" and "Well, in that hit you miss; she'll not be hit. With Cupid's arrow. She hath Dian's wit." So there's lots of material for Webb to work with.

Who is involved?

Kaitlyn Dever has signed onto the role, which from previewing the trailer has a Fleabag quality to it. She's witty, modern and the kind of female antihero we crave. Isabella Merced will play the young and naive Juliet Capulet, while Kyle Allen has been tapped as Romeo.

Minnie Driver is onboard as Rosaline's nurse, Sean Teale will take on the role of Dario, Spencer Stevenson will play Paris, H. Hunter Hall is Rosaline's Mercutio, and Nico Hiraga of Book Smart has also been cast, although at this stage it's not clear in what part.

Release Date

Rosaline will drop directly on Hulu on October 14. Until then, you can preview the film below in the newly released trailer.

 

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