Cats Movie 2019

Cats is an upcoming feature film adaptation of the musical of the same name, based upon Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by TS Eliot. It is set to be released December 20th, 2019. The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures.

Premise
Over 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.

Production
The project is adapted by Lee Hall, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler - originally announced to be Wayne McGregor who withdrew due to scheduling conflicts. Tom Hooper and Steven Spielberg act as producers for the film.

The project was first rumored in December 2013 in the Guardian, and more recently took hold in May 2016 by Variety , and little has been heard while the project has been in development. Both Anne Hathaway and Rihanna were considered for roles, but ultimately passed because of scheduling conflicts.

Andrew Lloyd Webber announced in January 2018 he was writing a new song for the film, to be sung by Victoria the White Cat. This would make the movie score eligible for the Oscars.

Hooper has cited "astonishing new technology to transform his cast members into a breathtaking, vivid new vision of one of the most beloved musicals of all time.” The set includes practical props, however, as referenced in a studio visit. Jason Derulo stated that "'Cats' uses motion-capture and other technology will be like nothing viewers have seen before." Idris Elba confirmed in an interview that the cast would not be wearing traditional costumes, relying on CGI instead.

Fiona Grace McDougal served as a vocal coach on set.

Rehearsals began in September 2018. Principal photography began on December 12, 2018, and wrapped March 2019.

First Trailer
The first official trailer for the film was released on July 18, 2019 at San Diego Comic Con to a passionate, largely negative response to the CGI appearance of the characters. The costume / character design by Paco Delgado has been heavily criticised.

Casting
Others involved with the film include: Jon-Scott Clark, Odette Hughes, Georgia Lewis, Ida Saki, Corey John Snide, and Olivia Grace Cowley.

Unlike the stage show where the Cats Chorus are usually all named characters, it appears that the film includes a large un-named chorus. There are also cameos of children's roles for the "Mouse Band" and "Mouse Sisters", most likely during the Gumbie Cat's number, where Jennyanydots "Teaches them music, crocheting and tatting".

Auditions for an unnamed role took place in July 2018; possibly for the role of Victoria the White Cat. Further auditions called for a last-minute addition to the cast in November 2019, likely for an ensemble role.

Speculation

 * Judi Dench playing Old Deuteronomy mirrors Andrew Lloyd Webber's similar casting choice in Starlight Express. The role of Poppa, similarly the father figure whose deep, rich voice is integral to the score, has changed gender to Mama. This change is part of a massive overhaul of the show which has sparked controversy among many fans.
 * The characters seem likely to be presented in a format that relies less on Computer Generated Imagery than initially speculated; the casting call requires strong dance skills, it seems likely that we will be seeing the performers' natural movements rather than Motion Capture, as this would not require the performers to both sing and dance.
 * The recent productions have seen new material added - "Street Cat Tugger", and Gus leading "Pekes and Pollicles" for example. Lee Hall may be directed by Andrew Lloyd Webber to use the latest versions of the show; he may refer back to the more classic material; or he may have license to re-write fresh changes.
 * Characters are being changed; or maybe more accurately, ensemble character names are being assigned to different roles, such as Zizi Strallen's Tantomile: "So I’m allowed to officially tell people now that I’ve been filming the @catsmovie for the last 5 months. Playing Tantomile. She’s quite different from the show, not a twin but a little cheeky, flirty kitten. Can’t wait for everyone to see it this christmas."
 * Melissa Madden Gray discussing Griddlebone: "My role is Griddlebone, who is quite a mysterious cat because she appears in different ways from the West End Version to the Broadway version and in this film she appears in a different way altogether..."
 * In 1991, Steven Spielberg had a concept of adapting Cats as an Animated Film. However, his animation division of Amblin Entertainment: Amblimation became defunct so instead a direct to video recording of the stage show was made in 1998, the Cats Film that is so familiar today. This movie could very well be the realization of Spielberg's original ideas.