New ‘Cats’ Trailer: Judi Dench, James Corden and Jason Derulo Are Ready to Dance on ‘A Magical Night’ (Video)
Tom Hooper’s film opens in theaters Dec. 20
Brian Welk | November 19, 2019 @ 8:20 AM
Last Updated: November 19, 2019 @ 8:35 AM
Get your claws out. The new trailer for “Cats” has dropped.
The last trailer resolutely broke the internet with the first look at director Tom Hooper’s CGI creations, which morphed the live-action musical’s stars into human and cat hybrids complete with fur, tails, pointy ears and yet fully recognizable human faces. The memes were plentiful, and not all of them kind.
How will audiences react to this latest look? This one gives a deeper insight into the plot of the film adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical.
“Tonight is a magical night where I choose the cat that deserves a new life,” Judi Dench’s character says in the new trailer. “Watch out for the crazy cat lady,” Rebel Wilson’s character adds.
The story involves a tribe of cats called the Jellicles, who unite every year and decide which cat should be elevated to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. Webber based the musical on a story by T.S. Eliot in his book “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” and the play first premiered in 1981 at the New London Theatre in the UK.
“Les Miserables” director Hooper, who also wrote the screenplay with Lee Hall, directs a cast that stars Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, James Corden, Taylor Swift, Ray Winstone, Jennifer Hudson and Jason Derulo.
Universal is releasing “Cats” on Dec. 20, 2019. Watch the new trailer above.
10 Scene-Stealing Cats in Movies, From 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' to 'Captain Marvel' (Photos)
Cat, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961)
Let's make this clear: Holly Golightly does not own this cat. He belongs to nobody and nobody belongs to him. But that doesn't stop him from playing a pivotal role in the movie, including the tear-jerking final scene.
Paramount Pictures
Tonto, "Harry and Tonto" (1974)
Art Carney's portrayal of a feisty retiree on a cross-country road trip won him an Academy Award, while his feline costar didn't even get a nomination. What gives?
Twentieth Century Fox
Jonesy, "Alien" (1979)
This orange tabby was the unofficial mascot of the USCSS Nostromo and one of the few crew members to survive a Xenomorph attack. He also remains the only character to successfully steal a scene from Sigourney Weaver.
Twentieth Century Fox
Church, "Pet Sematary" (1989, 2019)
Ellie Creed's playful kitty Winston Churchill was run over by a truck and came back from the dead as Church to terrorize his former owners. That's something to consider before burying your cat in a cursed cemetery.
Paramount Pictures
Binx, "Hocus Pocus" (1993)
Thackery Binx was just a normal teenage boy in 1693 before he was cursed to live forever in the body of a black cat. But hey, everyone goes through weird phases in their teens.
Buena Vista Pictures
Mr. Bigglesworth, "Austin Powers" series (1997-2002)
When Dr. Evil's cat, Mr. Bigglesworth, gets upset, people die. Honestly, Dr. Evil doesn't sound too different from the average cat owner.
New Line Cinema
Mr. Jinx, "Meet the Parents" (2000)
This movie should actually be called "Meet the Parents' Cat," because Mr. Jinx is the real star. The perpetually-frowning Himalayan cat is Jack Byrnes' pride and joy, and knows how to come when called, wave and even use the toilet. That's called a 'triple threat' in showbiz.
Universal Pictures
Fat Louie, "The Princess Diaries" series (2001-04)
Behind every great princess of Genovia is an equally great black-and-white kitty.
Buena Vista Pictures
Ulysses, "Inside Llewyn Davis" (2013)
This honey-colored tabby joined Oscar Isaac's grumpy folk musician as he wandered around New York City and Chicago in the Coen brothers' film. Though he takes up more screen time than many of the human actors, the feline actor isn't named in the credits -- perhaps because the character was played by three separate (but equally adorable) animal performers.
CBS Films
Goose, "Captain Marvel" (2019)
Okay, Goose is technically not a cat. Carol Danvers' orange sidekick is actually a Flerken (an alien with massive tentacles hidden inside her mouth), but Goose's fluffy coat and knack for getting into trouble puts her firmly in the cat category.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
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With live-action feline friends like these, National Cat Day never needs to end