Cats (film)

Cats is an upcoming 2019 British-American musical fantasy film based on the musical of the same name, which in turn was based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. The film is directed by Tom Hooper—in his second musical film following 2012's Les Misérables—with a screenplay by Lee Hall and Hooper, choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, and executive produced by Steven Spielberg.

Filming took place from December 2018 to April 2019. It stars James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, and introduces Francesca Hayward in her first feature-length film role.

Cats is scheduled for release on December 20, 2019, by Universal Pictures.

Premise
"Over the course of a single night, a tribe of cats called the Jellicles make what is known as "the Jellicle choice" and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life."

- Universal Pictures

Cast

 * James Corden as Bustopher Jones
 * Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy
 * Jason Derulo as Rum Tum Tugger
 * Idris Elba as Macavity
 * Jennifer Hudson as Grizabella
 * Ian McKellen as Gus the Theatre Cat
 * Taylor Swift as Bombalurina
 * Rebel Wilson as Jennyanydots
 * Francesca Hayward as Victoria
 * Jaih Betote as Coricopat
 * Les Twins as Plato and Socrates
 * Jonadette Carpio as Syllabub
 * Danny Collins as Mungojerrie
 * Olivia Cowley
 * Laurie Davidson as Mr. Mistoffelees
 * Robert Fairchild as Munkustrap
 * Melissa Madden Gray as Griddlebone
 * Steven McRae as Skimbleshanks
 * Naoimh Morgan as Rumpleteazer
 * Daniela Norman as Demeter
 * Bluey Robinson as Alonzo
 * Freya Rowley as Jellylorum
 * Zizi Strallen as Tantomile
 * Mette Towley as Jemima
 * Eric Underwood as Admetus
 * Ray Winstone as Growltiger

Development
An animated film adaptation based on the musical was initially planned by Amblimation in the 1990s, but was abandoned with the studio's closure. In December 2013, Andrew Lloyd Webber, creator and composer of the musical stage production Cats, teased that Universal Pictures, which purchased film adaptation rights to Cats many years ago, was putting the project into active development.

In February 2016, it was reported that Tom Hooper was in negotiations to direct the film, and was considering actresses, including Suki Waterhouse, to star. In May 2016, Hooper was confirmed as director.

In January 2018, Hooper and Working Title began officially casting for the film, whilst also looking into the technical aspect of whether the film would be entirely live-action, or computer generated, or a mix of both, with Andrew Lloyd Webber announcing he would be writing a new song for the film adaptation.

Casting
In June 2018, there were reports Anne Hathaway and Rihanna were considered for roles in the film, but both passed due to scheduling conflicts. In July 2018, Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden and Ian McKellen joined the cast.

In September 2018, Laurie Davidson and Mette Towley were cast, with Steven Spielberg announced to be executive producing. In October 2018, Idris Elba and Judi Dench joined the cast of the film.

In November 2018, ballet dancers Francesca Hayward and Steven McRae as well as Rebel Wilson, Jason Derulo, and Robert Fairchild joined the cast of the film with rehearsals commencing at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire, England. Andy Blankenbuehler choreographed the film, after Wayne McGregor was forced to back out due to "scheduling conflicts." In December 2018, Les Twins and Eric Underwood joined the cast.

Filming
Principal photography began on December 12, 2018, and wrapped on April 2, 2019.

Release
The film is due for a theatrical release on December 20, 2019.

Marketing
On July 17, 2019, Universal released a behind-the-scenes featurette detailing the various aspects of the film's production and featuring interviews with the cast and crew. The first trailer for the film was released on July 18, 2019. Many viewers were unsettled by the mix of CGI and live-action used to portray the cats, and cited the effects as an example of the uncanny valley.