Cats Movie 2019

Cats Movie 2019
Opening Date	20th December 2019
Production Team
Producers	Working Title / Universal, Tom Hooper, Tim Bevan Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, Steven Spielberg,
Director	Tom Hooper
Choreographer	Andy Blankenbuehler

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 has announced he is 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.

Casting

CONFIRMED CAST

Character	Performer
Admetus	Eric Underwood
Alonzo	Bluey Robinson
Bombalurina	Taylor Swift
Bustopher Jones	James Corden
Coricopat	Jaih Betote
Demeter	Daniela Norman
Griddlebone	Melissa Madden Gray
Grizabella	Jennifer Hudson
Growltiger	Ray Winstone
Gus, the Theatre Cat	Ian McKellen
Jellylorum	Freya Rowley
Jemima	Mette Towley
Jennyanydots	Rebel Wilson
Macavity	Idris Elba
Mistoffelees	Laurie Davidson
Mungojerrie	Danny Collins
Munkustrap	Robbie Fairchild
Old Deuteronomy	Judi Dench
Plato	Larry Bougeois
Rumpelteazer	Naoimh Morgan
Rum Tum Tugger	Jason Derulo
Syllabub	Jonadette Carpio
Skimbleshanks	Steven McRae
Socrates	Laurent Bougeois
Tantomile	Zizi Strallen
Victoria	Francesca Hayward
Maitre D'	Cory English
Mouse Band	Jamal Ahmed
Mouse Band	Joel Swedensky
Mouse Band	Gregory Mann
Mouse Sister	Meesha Garbett
Mouse Sister	Harriet Turnbull]
Mouse Sister	...
Macavity Girl	Hannah-Faith Marram
Macavity Girl	Sophie Carmen-Jones
Macavity Girl	Chelsea Hogg
Jennyanydots Double	Leanne Jones
Chorus	Ponciano Almeida
Chorus	Shay Barclay
Chorus	Samuel Baxter
Chorus	Nicole Bondzie
Chorus	Chrissy Brooke
Chorus	Tom Clark
Chorus	Cogan de Abreu
Chorus	...
Chorus	Yasmin Harrison
Chorus	Kalene Jeans
Chorus	Aaron Jenkins
Chorus	Jaron Johnson
Chorus	Lynn Jung
Chorus	Kolton Krouse
Chorus	Rufus Lacey
Chorus	Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson
Chorus	Benjamin Milan
Chorus	Roxanne Milliner
Chorus	Katie Morton-Hughes
Chorus	Muti Musafiri
Chorus	Redmond Rance
Chorus	Zhane Samuels
Chorus	...
Chorus	Kie Wilis
Chorus	Po-Lin Tung
Chorus	Clemmie Sveaas

Others involved with the film include: Jon-Scott Clark, Tommy Franzen, 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.

July Casting Call

November Casting Call

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..."