Tom Hooper Directing "Cats" Movie

[sueb1863]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:40pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tom-Hooper-Crafting-Film-Adaptation-of-Andrew-Lloyd-Webbers-CATS-Movie-Eyes-2017-18-Release-20160505

Thoughts?

 

Updated On: 5/5/16 at 07:40 PM

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:40pm

So Edina's ex-husband is no longer directing? 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:42pm

You may want to update the subject line, the word "Cats" does show up on the main board.

[sueb1863]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:43pm

Fixed it, thanks! :)

I don't see how a movie version can work if it's not a filmed version of the stage show. It's a dance show, they can't have CGI cats dancing around.

[Sunny11]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:48pm

I know this is nitpicking but the mail is claiming that production might begin in 2017/18 not that the finished movie will be released then as the BWW article implies. A screenwriter hasn't been hired yet. 

Hooper is thinking about the possibility of s CGI/Live action hybrid like the recent Jungle book movie. That could work if done right.

Updated On: 5/5/16 at 07:48 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:53pm

Can't wait!

 

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:56pm

I think they should use real cats and make them sing.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:58pm

icecreambenjamin said: "I think they should use real cats and make them sing."

This is inspired and should happen.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 7:59pm

Grumpy cat as Grizabella

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:10pm

I can't think of anything worse than a film adaptation of this.

[sueb1863]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:16pm

I just don't see how they can work it if it's not humans in cat costumes dancing on a stage. There really isn't much of a story to adapt. The appeal of the show was the incredible dancing and choreography which isn't going to translate if you try to make it with realistic-looking cats. Even CGI cats won't work. The music's good but most of it is tied to dancing.

The cat orgy scene should be interesting, though...

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:17pm

"I think they should use real cats and make them sing."

This is Hooper.  Are there enough A list cats who'll agree to sing live?

[hork]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:26pm

Dear lord, the worst mainstream director in the business, and maybe the worst musical ever. I can only assume Bialystock and Bloom are behind this.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:29pm

A perfect storm?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:35pm

I liked the idea of Steven Spielberg's animated version of Cats better.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:36pm

I like no version.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:38pm

Mr Roxy said: "A perfect storm?

 

"

Ha!

Anyway, what?! I'm sorry, I can't see this working out well. Of course, with the right creative team, anything is possible, but Tom Hooper? I don't think he's a bad director, but I don't think he's a great one either. My big question is: what audience is this going to appeal to? Sure you got your theatre-going audience or people who have heard of the show that may want to see it, but do they really think that this could bring in a mainstream audience? It's just a bunch of cats singing and dancing through poetry and music! This doesn't sound like it could be a success unless they pulled in a big name.

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:41pm

songanddanceman2 said: "I can't think of anything worse than a film adaptation of this."

Maybe a few forms of cancer might be worse...but only a few.

 

[sueb1863]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 8:49pm

"I can't think of anything worse than a film adaptation of this."

Being eaten by a walrus?

I know a lot of people don't like the 1990s filmed version of the stage show, but I liked it, and it showed you what the dancing looked like. They should just leave it at that. You really can't adapt this show without the dancing and trying to show realistic cats dancing just ain't gonna work.

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:04pm

sueb1863 said: ""I can't think of anything worse than a film adaptation of this."

Being eaten by a walrus?

I know a lot of people don't like the 1990s filmed version of the stage show, but I liked it, and it showed you what the dancing looked like. They should just leave it at that. You really can't adapt this show without the dancing and trying to show realistic cats dancing just ain't gonna work.

 

"

Exactly, I liked that version, do we really need a film adaptation?

[Ranger Tom]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:16pm

I don't think it's needed - the 1990 film is a good documentation of the show.  But the thing that's really troubling for me is the CGI piece.  Using CGI instead of real live actors is like McDonalds/Walmart going to self-serve kiosks because they want to escape minimum wage hikes.  Of course, I felt the same way when people started holding Kindles instead of real books.  Just old school I guess.   

[non-stop26]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:20pm

This movie is a joke right?

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:22pm

I hope Tom Hooper directs a Roaring Twenties version of "CATS", and ALW jazzes up all the numbers. 'Macavity, The Mystery Cat' as a fast paced jazz tune? Sign me up.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:30pm

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/5/16 at 9:30pm

Honestly I don't even know what to say. This is such a god awful asinine idea and everyone who agreed it should happen deserves be taken out back and shot. And the dip**** who thought "You know who'd be great at director? Tom Hooper. I mean his hyper realistic ugly ass movie Les Miserables sounded god awful and was filmed god awfully." Deserves to be shot twice. And I know it was Lord Andy. God damn man needs to have his hands taken off anything he's ever written after its been released to the public. He's the ****ing George Lucas of theatre.