CATS Film 2019

[eliaza]

Now that I embarrassingly blew up the Chat Box with talk about the upcoming CATS movie... Here's a thread.

What do you hope for in the new movie? What do you think of the casting so far?

Discuss!

(Credit for bringing up the topic goes to Spectra )

[spectratherestless]

I love the casting so far, especially with Sir Ian McKellen as Gus, Judi Dench as Old Deuteronomy, and Idris Elba as Macavity. I have a feeling that Jennifer Hudson is playing Grizabella, which I'm excited about too! I'm also looking forward to seeing Andy Blankenbuehler's choreography. I've read so many good things about the new choreography when the Broadway revival was running.

[ohophelia]

I'm super excited about the casting, like everyone else! They did a brilliant job balancing obvious talent and big names that will probably grab the attention of younger moviegoers I also love how they cast professional dancers for major roles as well - I'm particularly interested to see the Les Twins, and if their particular style of choreography will be included in the film. I'd have to say my absoloute favorites so far are Ian, Jennifer, Mette, Francesca, Robbie, Eric, and Judie - one thing I can't think of, though, is what role Laurie Davidson could play. I've heard that the vfx/cgi is going to be amazing, but I do hope they don't completely erase the actors and that its not just a bunch of animated physical cats dancing awkwardly on the screen. Another thing I'm concerned about is probably just the week they chose to open it - it'll be competing against Star Wars, which doesn't bode well for the box office. Tom Hooper was a brilliant choice for director, since Les Mis was super successful just a few years ago. Personally, I'm excited to see Taylor since her performing skills are pretty good (thank you netflix for the reputation film) and her fanbase is super strong, promising a solid turnout for a good chunk of teenagers. I do hope they didn't cut Demeter out, though, she's one of my favorites. Overall, I think it has a great cast/crew and I do hope it does Cats' legacy justice!

[eliaza]

Spectra, I was able to see the Broadway revival twice! Much of the choreography is still Gillian Lynn's original, especially in the big chorus dances like Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats and The Jellicle Ball. The biggest changes were to the character songs, most notably Jennyanydots, Bustopher, and Mistoffelees. It was all pretty good, but I did sadly miss the original choreography at times, especially during Mistoffelees. There were new orchestrations during that bit too.

The question is, will the film even use Blankenbuehler's choreography, or just stick with Gillian Lynn's original? And will there be Pekes and Pollicles or Growltiger? Or both?

And will this thing be animated?! T.S. Eliot did not want his Old Possum characters turned into cartoons!!

Whatever else happens, Robert Fairchild will be a PERFECT Munkustrap. That's the main thing I care about. XD If we want perfection in other areas, there's always the wonderful 1998 film.

Ohophelia, if they cut out Demeter I will cry!! And that's a good point about it opening at the same time as Star Wars. Well...sorry, Star Wars, I will be dressing up and going to CATS first. The galaxy can wait. LOL

[eliaza]

Well, this just goes to show I hadn't checked the cast list in forever...

www.imdb.com/title/tt5697572/fullcredits

GROWLTIGER IS BACK, PEOPLE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!

As for the rest of the cast...

-We have someone called Socrates?! Good name for a cat, but as far as I know there's not been a production with a character by that name. Then again, there have been so MANY--who knows? Perhaps there has been a Socrates.

...Perhaps Socrates is one of Macavity's henchmen! O.O

-Plato and Socrates are played by twin brothers Larry and Laurent Bourgeois. Hmmm...

-We have Plato AND Admetus! Which one will be connected with Macavity? Either? Both? Neither? Neither is being played by Idris Elba, so clearly neither one actually IS Macavity...but they could still be working for him...

-They spelled Sillabub as Syllabub (like the sweet frothy drink!).

-We have NO tomkittens! (Unless Misto, Plato, and Adme are being portrayed as kittens here.) But c'mon! No Pouncival? No Tumblebrutus? No Carbuckety? Well, there are several Ensemble members. Perhaps they are Nameless Kittens.

Well. This should be fun.

Are we ever getting a trailer, or...?

[Autumn]

Growltiger and Gridd are my favorite "bad guys" of the whole show, depending on the actor and also the actress chosen for both characters the parts almost always result beautifully

[eliaza]

Jul 11, 2019 16:38:51 GMT -5 Autumn said:

Growltiger and Gridd are my favorite "bad guys" of the whole show, depending on the actor and also the actress chosen for both characters the parts almost always result beautifully

Same here! Growltiger is one of my favorite songs, and I was disappointed it wasn't in the new Broadway revival.

So, the actress who will be playing Tantomile in the movie posted on Instagram that in the movie, Tantomile will not be the twin of Coricopat, but will be one of the playful kittens. Interesting.

This makes me wonder if Socrates and Plato will be the "mystic twins," seeing as they're being played by twin brothers who are known as 'Les Twins.'

[Autumn]

Well, I've seen the trailer so far, and aside from certain actors, it actually feels like a proper Cats show. {actual fur, realistic tails, yes its a lot of CGI work, but it looks good too}

Also saw thew song list too eliaza, Growltiger's Last Stand is on the list so here's hoping they even got the Siamese in it and not some politically correct crap like recent movies {the lady and the tramp remake is taking out the Siamese Cats song and replacing it with something else, like really ??}

[eliaza]

Jul 23, 2019 14:21:02 GMT -5 Autumn said:

Well, I've seen the trailer so far, and aside from certain actors, it actually feels like a proper Cats show. {actual fur, realistic tails, yes its a lot of CGI work, but it looks good too}

Also saw thew song list too eliaza, Growltiger's Last Stand is on the list so here's hoping they even got the Siamese in it and not some politically correct crap like recent movies {the lady and the tramp remake is taking out the Siamese Cats song and replacing it with something else, like really ??}

Agreed, I hope they get "Growltiger" right, Siamese cats and all! They are such a key part of the whole song, and they WIN and Growltiger DIES, so I don't see anything to be upset about here.

Yes, there are some folks I'm not super excited to see in the movie, but overall I'm happy about the cast. Especially Robbie Fairchild as Munkustrap!!!

My only fear is that the whole ensemble won't be as involved in the story. Looking at the cast list (and stalking people's Instagrams, haha), nearly all the usual characters from the show are in it, but they don't seem to be doing much. In the scenes they showed in the trailer, all the cats in the background kind of blended together. Worst of all, I can't figure out which one is supposed to be Demeter. I really hope they didn't make her unimportant.

Then again, a trailer's just a tiny taste of the film; and they of course were purposely showing off the Big Name Stars. The other cats will probably still be involved plenty...hopefully.