Romeo & Juliet may be one of the world's most famous tragedies, but William Shakespeare was a master at sprinkling comedy in even the dourest of circ*mstances. Rosaline, which premieres on Hulu on October 14, takes full advantage of that by not only modernizing the language but also focusing attention on Juliet's spurned cousin rather than on the young lovebirds at the heart of the play. Audiences may not remember Rosaline, but she was canonically the apple of Romeo's eye before he met Juliet, and now she'll finally have her story told in a screenplay by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber.
Based on Rebecca Serle's novel When You Were Mine, Rosaline follows the titular heroine (played by Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick) as she concocts a scheme to win her ex-boyfriend Romeo (Kyle Allen, West Side Story) back from Juliet (Isabela Merced, Father of the Bride). The depth of Romeo and Juliet's love has long been called into question by skeptical readers and viewers alike, given the speed of their courtship—and Rosaline herself certainly can't believe how quickly he moved on, even as she finds her cousin impossible to dislike.
Related: Surprising Actors You Didn't Know Were In Shakespeare Movies
Screen Rant spoke to Allen and Merced about Romeo's romantic disposition, Juliet's fast friendship with Rosaline, and what modern-ish Shakespeare adaptation they'd like to attempt next.
Rosaline Stars On Playing Romeo & Juliet
I know that much is made of the little that is going on upstairs for Romeo, Kyle, but he is the only one with this flowery language that he is able to spew at will. Where did he pick up his way of speaking?
Kyle Allen: I would say he picked it up from the books that he reads. I think everything that he does, in terms of romances, has nothing to do with reality and is entirely shaped by stories. These are the things that he's read.
Isabela, as much as I love the romance aspect, I also love the female friendship and dynamic between you and Kaitlyn's character. Can you talk about working with her and what it's like to create that friendship?
Isabela Merced: Yeah, Kaitlyn is really just a version of Rosaline that's been to therapy. I think that's the best way to describe her. She's equally as headstrong, so determined and focused, and one of the best young actors I've had the pleasure of working with. I love seeing her do her thing. She was so committed and constantly working during this movie. I felt so bad because I knew how heavy those dresses were, and she had to be in them a lot more than I did.
But we actually had such a good time. It's one thing to work with people, and then to hang out with them in real life. I got to do that, and she's so lovely. If anybody looks up to her, I give you full backing. You definitely should.
Kyle, I had a lot of fun watching you in this ambiguous Renaissance-slash-modern world. If there was another Shakespeare play you could quirk-ify in this manner, which one would you like to be part of?
Kyle Allen: Hamlet. I wouldn't want to quirk-ify him, but there's also this play called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. [I'd like] another movie like that.
I love that play! Excellent choice. Isabela, this is a big year for you, and you're also doing Madame Web. What has that experience been like for you?
Isabela Merced: It's been busy. I went straight from filming Turtles All the Way Down into that process of getting ready for Madam Web. I had to train, and I'm still training. I had a goal of wanting a six-pack, and I'm getting there when I'm flexed. Let's hope it just happens to show up when I'm standing somewhere.
But it's been a long process. These movies are not small by any means, and they're organized to a certain extent. I've just been in for the ride and taking all of these pictures, because I want to remember everything. I want to post all these pictures once the movie comes out, because they're so fun and goofy. And I'm very excited to share.
About Rosaline
Rosaline is a fresh and comedic twist on Shakespeare’s classic love story Romeo & Juliet, told from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever), who also happens to be Romeo’s recent love interest. Heartbroken when Romeo (Kyle Allen) meets Juliet (Isabela Merced) and begins to pursue her, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back her guy.
Check out our other Rosaline interviews here:
- Minnie Driver
- Director Karen Maine
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Rosaline premieres October 14 on Hulu.
