Shakespeare’s most iconic tragedy is getting a glitzy, glitter-drenched remix this summer — and it’s coming to a cinema near you for one night only. Meet JULIET & ROMEO, an original pop musical that reimagines the world’s most famous lovers with booming vocals, rebellious rewrites, and a cast so star-studded it could outshine Verona itself.
Mark your calendars for 11th June, when this theatrical fever dream hits UK cinemas as a special one-night-only screening event, complete with an exclusive recorded Q&A featuring the film’s ensemble cast of icons, newcomers, and scene-stealers.
A cast louder than fate — and almost as iconic
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate this list. We’ve got Rebel Wilson as a very modern Lady Capulet, Jason Isaacs, Rupert Everett, Rupert Graves, Derek Jacobi, Dan Fogler, and a rising-star ensemble led by Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward as the reimagined Juliet and Romeo.
Also onboard: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Nicholas Podany, GRAMMY winners Tayla Parx and Ledisi. In short, your favourite pop stars and prestige drama icons just formed a cinematic supergroup.
Shakespeare meets Spotify — finally
This isn’t another corseted, candlelit take on Romeo and Juliet. Nope. JULIET & ROMEO retools the original 1301 legend that inspired Shakespeare and turns it into a pop-fuelled trilogy that kicks off with this riotous first instalment. Expect ancient castles, heavy betrayal, star-crossed tears — but also massive musical moments penned by GRAMMY-winner Evan Kidd Bogart (Beyoncé’s “Halo”) and Justin Gray (The Lego Movie).
Director Timothy Scott Bogart (of Spinning Gold fame) describes it as a chance to “turn to music as the poetry of our time.” And we have to agree — what better way to soundtrack a tale of young love and generational drama than with radio-ready pop bangers?
Rebel Wilson’s Lady Capulet: Motherhood, glamour, and emotional depth
Fresh off becoming a mother herself, Rebel Wilson brings a unique energy to Lady Capulet — a figure often sidelined in adaptations. Here, she’s at the heart of the drama, with a performance that’s “against type,” both deeply funny and surprisingly moving. Filmed in ancient Italian castles, her scenes offer a new perspective on the mother-daughter dynamic that shapes Juliet’s path.
As Rebel puts it:
“It was a really interesting and creative opportunity… not to mention the stellar cast: Rupert, Jason, Sir Derek and the young talented cast who I just love.”
And honestly? We love a Shakespearean matriarch with sass, sadness, and killer costume game.
A musical trilogy with teeth (and glitter)
Here’s the twist: JULIET & ROMEO is just the beginning. It’s the first of a movie-musical trilogy that aims to unpack the real-life story behind the Bard’s version, while turning it into a full-blown, cinematic pop opera. Think Romeo + Juliet meets Moulin Rouge! meets a stylish medieval fever dream.
With production design from Dante Ferretti (yes, the three-time Oscar winner behind Hugo, The Aviator, Gangs of New York), the visuals are lush, dramatic, and 100% made for the big screen. And with only one night in cinemas, you’ll want to experience every neon-lit heartbreak and dance-fuelled declaration on the largest screen possible.
Shoreditch sensibilities? Absolutely
Though this epic was filmed in Italy’s castles, the creative ethos of JULIET & ROMEO could’ve easily been born in a Shoreditch warehouse theatre after three negronis and a deep dive into queer pop playlists. It’s experimental, unapologetically fun, and creatively explosive — exactly the kind of energy that pulses through East London’s artistic veins.
We love an adaptation that doesn’t ask for permission — and this one doesn’t even knock. It kicks the door open with platform boots and a string quartet.
Don’t miss the one-night-only screening
Whether you’re a die-hard Shakespeare fan, a pop musical obsessive, or just here for the chaos of watching Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett, and Tayla Parx exist in the same cinematic universe, JULIET & ROMEO is a must-see.
Catch it nationwide in UK cinemas on 11th June — because as far as we know, the Capulets don’t do encores.
