LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) A movie version of Broadway play “Cats” is said to be in the works, with Jennifer Hudson reportedly confirmed and possible cast members Taylor Swift, James Corden and Ian McKellen.
Hudson is said to be signed on for the role of glamourpuss Grizabella, aka the feline that sings “Memory” made famous by Elaine Page. The news first broke as gossip on the Daily Mail, then confirmed by outlets like The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and New York Post‘s Page Six. The movie will directed by Tom Hooper, who has “The Kings Speech” and “Les Miserables” on his resume.
“Cats,” which debuted on London’s West End in 1981, has been a potential movie for decades, with Steven Spielberg considering turning the Andrew Lloyd Webber play into a b lockbuster nearly 30 years ago.
The time is apparently right now, with the help of CGI. Spielberg is said to be onboard as executive producer, and Hooper is said to have been working on the movie for two years, working with technicians to fuse CGI with live action in a closely-guarded process, according to the Daily Mail. An all-singing / dancing pack is being auditioned next month by choreographer Wayne McGregor for the extravaganza.
Lee Hall, writer of “Billy Elliott,” is said to have written the screenplay.