Cats (2019)

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Sotiris
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Cats (2019)

Post by Sotiris »

A big screen adaptation of the hit musical Cats has been pitched for many years. Back in 2016 it was announced that Universal Pictures won the rights for the film with Academy Award winning director Tom Hopper (Les Miserables) set to direct, from a script by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot). Since then it has been pretty quiet on all the updates, but now we have some news that may intrigue you.

According to our sources Anne Hathaway is in talks to star in a currently unknown role. The studio is also looking at Rihanna for the role of Bombalurina a key character featured in the musical, but as of now its only interest, and no formal talks have taken place.

The film is expected to begin production sometime in September in London.
Source: http://thathashtagshow.com/2018/06/excl ... sals-cats/
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by estefan »

I can't stand this musical, so I'm mostly curious if this will be done with motion-capture or the makeups and costumes of the stage show. I hope it's the former, because I don't think those scary-as-heck costumes and makeup would translate to a film adaptation.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by TheSequelOfDisney »

I wouldn't mind Anne Hathaway as Grizabella, whom I'm sure she would play.

I like bits and pieces of the musical, but overall it's kind of meh.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney Duster »

I looooooove Cats. I own the CD and movie and saw the show twice on Broadway. The first time was the original run and I was like 12 so I was bored. But the after I saw the movie I fell in love and the second time I saw it was the revival and it was fantastic. I anticipate makeup and costumes like the original show which I would peefer, but I would take a CGI interpretation.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney's Divinity »

I'm ambivalent to Cats. All I'm interested in is who'll be singing "Memory." I liked Leona Lewis' take when she was in a show of this recently, but maybe for the film they'll get someone older like the character is supposed to be (Elaine Page?).
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney Duster »

Leona Lewis was selected for star power. She wouldn't even let them put her in the full make-up because she didn't want to "look ugly". She sang the song well, but whoever I saw as Grizabella that came after her (Mamie Parris?), me and my friend agreed she was better. She really had the pipes and amazed me when she sang the big climax of "Memory". I think Elaine Paige may be too old for the part, like maybe too old to sing well anymore, but even if not, since she was in the filmed version which is already a movie, I don't think they will choose her. I certainly would not mind if they choose her, but I would like to see someone new, as long as they can do the part justice.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney's Divinity »

That's nice for you and your friend. My opinions of Lewis and Page are unchanged.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney Duster »

Well of course, you can still like Leona Lewis as Grizabella and want Elaine Page. I was giving my opinion as well.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Sotiris »

Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden, Ian McKellen to Star in 'Cats' Movie Adaptation
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ ... on-1128647
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney's Divinity »

I guess JHUD will be singing "Memory." A phenomenal choice.

Ugh, Taylor... I'll still watch this because I love JHUD and Ian McKellen, but that vile woman needs to go away. Go sue somebody or something instead of ruining a musical for which she has no talent since she can't sing much less act.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney Duster »

Any Jennifer Hudson is great!!! I don't know about Ian McKellan because I don't think he can sing well enough. Taylor Swift can sing to me as far as I've heard, but I don't know how she will do in the film.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Nandor »

I actually don't believe McKellen will sing in this.
I'm betting he'll play Gus, the theatre cat, and I'm betting he'll be heart breaking.
Hudson is too young to play Grizabella.
Swift could be Jemima. Not too big a role, just enough.
I think Corden might be Mr. Mistoffelees.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by TheSequelOfDisney »

Nandor wrote:Hudson is too young to play Grizabella.
She's older than Elaine Paige and Betty Buckley were when they starred as Grizabella in '81 and '82, respectively. A strong voice is needed for "Memory," and that's exactly what Hudson has. Cast an older actress and you risk losing that strength, that ability to even sing the song well. Hudson is the only one of those four I'm actually looking forward to.

Plus, we don't even know if this'll be live-action or not. If it is, don't discount makeup and wardrobe.
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Disney Duster »

Did you guys not read the article? Ian McKellan is going to be Old Deuteronomy who sings, Taylor Swift is being looked at for Bombalurina, and Jennifer Hudson will indeed be Grizabella and sing "Memory".
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by blackcauldron85 »

I am too excited for this! I love me some James Corden, and JHud's "Memory" is already playing in my imagination...can't wait!
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Sotiris »

More casting news.

‘Cats’ Cast Grows: Tom Hooper-Directed Musical Adds Laurie Davidson
https://deadline.com/2018/09/cats-movie ... 202470868/

Cats’: Dancer Mette Towley Joins Cast Of Universal-Working Title Film
https://deadline.com/2018/09/choreograp ... 202471816/

‘Cats’: Idris Elba Boarding Universal-Working Title Movie As Macavity
https://deadline.com/2018/10/cats-idris ... 202484208/

Judi Dench Set To Pounce On ‘Cats’
https://deadline.com/2018/10/cats-movie ... 202485723/

Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Francesca Hayward Joins Universal-Working Title’s ‘Cats’
https://deadline.com/2018/11/cats-movie ... 202494737/

‘Cats’ Cast: Royal Ballet Principal Dancer Steven McRae To Play Skimbleshanks
https://deadline.com/2018/11/cats-cast- ... 202498214/

Rebel Wilson To Play Jennyanydots In Universal-Working Title’s ‘Cats’
https://deadline.com/2018/11/cats-movie ... 202504908/

Jason Derulo Joins Jennifer Hudson, James Corden in All-Star 'Cats' Movie
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ ... ie-1163119

Robbie Fairchild to Play Munkustrap in ‘Cats’ Movie Adaptation
https://variety.com/2018/film/news/robb ... 203049195/
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Re: Cats (Universal)

Post by Sotiris »

Filming has started!

Universal-Working Title’s Feature Adaptation Of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’ Rolls Cameras
https://deadline.com/2018/12/universal- ... 202518943/

‘Cats’: ‘Hamilton’ Tony Winner Andy Blankenbuehler To Choreograph Universal-Working Title Film
https://deadline.com/2018/11/cats-andy- ... 202508345/
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Re: Cats: The Musical: The Movie

Post by Sotiris »

The teaser trailer has been released. The movie looks really weird. And not in a good way. Doing mo-cap for this was a bad idea. They should have gone with regular make-up and costumes over this bizarre, uncanny blend of CG and live-action. :headshake:

Domestic teaser poster.

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Source: https://www.facebook.com/catsmovie/phot ... 838814146/


International teaser poster.

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Source: https://www.facebook.com/CatsMovieUK/ph ... 075880155/
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Re: Cats: The Musical: The Movie

Post by UmbrellaFish »

This is the movie musical disaster of this generation, perhaps the greatest movie musical disaster of all time. I cannot wait to see this movie.
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Re: Cats: The Musical: The Movie

Post by blackcauldron85 »

Jennifer sounds amazing!!! I am underwhelmed by the characters...it's kind of nightmare fuel. But dammit, I've been looking forward to it, and maybe when watching it, it'll look more natural/we'll get lost in the story...? It could've been creepier...

*edit* You don't think they'll do a redesign of sorts like they're doing for the new Sonic the Hedgehog movie, do you?
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