Lit nerds, you only thought you knew the story of “Romeo & Juliet”—until now.
Meet Rosaline, Romeo’s ex-lover. ROSALINE is told from the point of view of Kaitlyn Dever’s snarky, quick-witted Rosaline—and it’s so much more than simply a story of a jilted lover.
Kaitlyn Dever as Rosaline in 20th Century Studios’ Rosaline, exclusively on Hulu. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Kaitlyn Dever on Becoming ROSALINE
Literary nerds know that Rosaline is actually mentioned in Shakespeare’s version of “Romeo and Juliet,” albeit just briefly.
(L-R): Kaitlyn Dever as Rosaline and Isabela Merced as Juliet in 20th Century Studios’ ROSALINE, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Kaitlyn Dever shared during the recent press day for ROSALINE how she prepped and dove into the role.
KAITLYN: She is mentioned in “Romeo and Juliet,” but she’s a very, very, very small role in the story. And so, because of that, it was actually a really exciting prospect because you can kind of do anything and everything you want to. And the character that I sort of created with Karen [Maine, director] was kind of something that we just felt like you could go for it in so many ways.
I think that on the daily, I was just having so much fun with the role. I just appreciated and admired her determination and her fearlessness and her drive.
But just playing up the comedy, the writing is so brilliant. It was really easy to kind of go there. But, I mean, it was so easy to just have the most fun and just be sort of outrageous sometimes, and sarcastic and comedic with this whole cast. It was really, really fun.
(L-R): Kaitlyn Dever as Rosaline and Sean Teale as Dario in 20th Century Studios’ Rosaline, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
It’s clear the script was well-written and funny and the cast had great material to work with. However, comedy is unforgiving in that delivery has to be well-timed and delivered just so. The ability to turn a tragedy like “Romeo and Juliet” upside down is a bit delicate.
How do you create a story of this nature without going too far? How much freedom is there on set for improv versus reigning it in and curtailing the fun while delivering and sticking to the script?
Kaitlyn Dever as Rosaline in 20th Century Studios’ ROSALINE, exclusively on Hulu. Photo by Moris Puccio. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
KAITLYN: We were always exploring that and those tones. I feel like some days I was like, “Yeah, that was a lot.” And Rosaline is a lot sometimes. And that’s what’s so much fun about her, in playing her.
We did have Karen there as a constant guide, and she’s so good with direction and sort of allowing us to feel free in that. And I think that this story really calls for that. And I was just saying to Sean [Teal] earlier, ’cause I felt very settled in this story and with this cast. And I think that’s the best feeling you can have. And I think it really translated in the movie.
Kaitlyn Dever as Rosaline in 20th Century Studios’ Rosaline, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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.
(L-R): Sean Teale as Dario and Kaitlyn Dever as Rosaline in 20th Century Studios’ Rosaline, exclusively on Hulu. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
GENRE: Romantic Comedy
RATING: PG-13
RUNTIME: 96 minutes
DIRECTOR: Karen Maine
SCREENPLAY: Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, based on the novel “When You Were Mine” by Rebecca Serle
PRODUCERS: Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Kaitlin Dever, Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, Whitney Brown, Emily Morris, Becca Edelman
CAST: Kaitlyn Dever, Isabela Merced, Kyle Allen, Sean Teale, with Minnie Driver and Bradley Whitford
Streaming exclusively on Hulu October 14, 2022
20th Century Studios’ ROSALINE, exclusively on Hulu. © 2022 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
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