“It’s Shakespeare meets The Descendants”

Rebel Wilson on Juliet & Romeo: “It’s Shakespeare meets The Descendants”

JustWatch’s latest Why to Watch highlights the vibrant, genre-bending musical adaptation Juliet & Romeo—featuring quotes from stars Rebel Wilson and Jamie Ward. Released in theatres earlier this month, this bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy blends pop music, modern language, and high-energy choreography into something altogether unexpected.

Led by Rebel Wilson, the film embraces comedy, spectacle, and heart. Known for her roles in Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, Wilson brings her signature energy and musical flair to this Shakespearean remix.

Rebel Wilson:

“Juliet & Romeo is really interesting because it’s Shakespeare meets The Descendants. It’s a pop musical movie with Shakespeare. It’s got sword fighting! It’s got banger songs! There’s an incredible cast of Grammy Award-winning vocalists and really powerhouse actors. It’s very fun and entertaining, and not what you think a Shakespeare a movie would be.”

Juliet & Romeo is a 2025 pop musical film that reimagines Shakespeare’s most iconic lovers in a modern world of catchy tunes, epic dance numbers, and emotionally grounded storytelling. The film uses contemporary language and a chart-worthy soundtrack to make Shakespeare’s themes accessible—and wildly entertaining—for a new generation.

Rebel Wilson first charmed stateside audiences in Bridesmaids (2011), a role written just for her. She became a global sensation as Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect (2012–2017), bringing powerhouse vocals and pitch-perfect comedy to the franchise.

Wilson has since starred in Isn’t It Romantic, The Hustle, Jojo Rabbit, and Cats. In Juliet & Romeo, she returns to the musical spotlight—this time with a Shakespearean twist.

Jamie Ward began his career on London’s West End in Les Misérables, and gained acclaim for his television work in His Dark Materials, The Durrells, and Tyrant. He’s also toured as a singer with Balcony and supported acts like Lewis Capaldi. In Juliet & Romeo, he brings Romeo to life as a pop-forward, modern-day romantic lead in a world of music, mischief, and reinvention.

Jamie Ward:

“If you’ve tried to understand Shakespeare before and you haven’t, but you really want to, [Juliet & Romeo] is the film for you! We tell it in a modern vernacular, a modern language, so [it allows] you to understand it in a way you haven’t before. If you love amazing pop songs then you’re going to love this. It’s also incredibly fun, energetic, and adventurous. It’s like Indiana Jones meets The Greatest Showman.”

The full Why to Watch feature can be seen here. JustWatch is the world’s largest streaming guide, serving over 60 million monthly users across 140 countries.