Musicals and music-filled movies are once again a big deal at the box office, with the likes of La La Land, Bohemian Rhapsody, and The Greatest Showman striking big. As a result, we're getting a star-studded big-screen Cats movie, complete with 'digital fur technology'. Here's what we know so far.
What is Cats?
Cats is a musical about cats. Specifically, the 2019 Cats is a film version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage show, which was inspired by TS Eliot's whimsical 1939 poetry collection Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Lloyd Webber's show made its debut in 1981, and went on to become a phenomenal success, running continuously for 21 years in London and 18 on Broadway, winning numerous prestigious awards and earning billions of dollars. A movie version has been in the works for years. Originally developing as an animated project, it now arrives on the big screen as an all-star, live-action extravaganza. Steven Spielberg is among its producers.
What is Cats' story?
Eliot's poems were a jumble of character pieces not connected by a narrative. Lloyd Webber's version puts them in a story about a ritual to choose a cat to be reborn (the idea being that cats have nine lives). At the Jellicle Ball various cats perform various song-and-dance numbers to show off their awesomeness and prove their worthiness. And there's also some business about the kidnap and rescue of Old Deuteronomy.
Who directed Cats?
Tom Hooper is the man responsible for bringing Cats to the big screen. His previous work as director includes The Damned United, The King's Speech, The Danish Girl and, perhaps most relevant here, Les Misérables. Hooper also composed the screenplay in collaboration with Lee Hall, who previously wrote Billy Elliot and Rocketman.
Who stars in Cats?
Jennifer Hudson is Grizabella – the cat who gets the show's biggest number, 'Memory'.
Taylor Swift is Bombalurina.
Jason Derulo is the Rum Tum Tugger.
Judi Dench is Old Deuteronomy. Dench has a history with Cats, albeit a thwarted one; she was in line to play Grizabella in the original 1981 West End production, but snapped a tendon shortly before previews kicked off and had to drop out.
James Corden is Bustopher Jones, the Cat About Town.
Idris Elba is Macavity, the Mystery Cat.
Rebel Wilson is Jennyanydots.
Laurie Davidson is the magical Mr Mistoffelees.
The rest of the cast is replete with professional dancers and musicians including Francesca Hayward, Steven McRae, "Les Twins" Larry and Laurent Bourgeois, Bluey Robinson, Zizi Strallen, Eric Underwood and Melissa Madden Gray.
When is Cats released?
Cats will be yowling on a fence near you from 20 December 2019.
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