MovieChat Forums > Cats (2019) Discussion > why did they make a movie of 'Cats'?

why did they make a movie of 'Cats'?

posted 5 years ago by bozo_500 (13110)
13 replies | jump to latest

Was there a previous Andrew Lloyd Webber movie that was a smash hit? I forget

[–] wearsalan (5554) 5 years ago

Well...
Jesus Christ Superstar
Evita
Phantom of the Opera
were all something to do with Webber

[–] kwestmo (4385) 5 years ago

None of those were smash hits. Even if they were Cats is a strange choice in 2019

[–] bozo_500 (13110) 5 years ago

Maybe Disney's recent 'live action' animated movies breaking 1b (especially Jungle Book/Lion King) made Universal to want 'Cats' to be made?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

"CATS" has been talked about being made into a movie for at least 35 years, since it became a smash on Broadway in 1982 (and on the West End in 1981).

It was bounced around for decades as an animated film, with a cast of pop singers to voice the characters - then it got sidelined with producers and studios unable to work out a deal. This final project has been worked on for the past few years - so it had nothing to do with what was going on at Disney.

[–] bozo_500 (13110) 5 years ago

Wow, and now this must be the worst outcome imaginable for universal

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Exactly. They should have stayed with an animated feature.

[–] wearsalan (5554) 5 years ago

Jesus Christ superstar grossed $25 million on a budget of $3.5 million and was the highest grossing musical in North America and Canada that year .....seems like a hit to me.

Evita grossed $141 million worldwide on its' theatrical release.....seems like a hit to me.

The Phantom of the Opera grossed $154 million worldwide on its' theatrical release...seems like a hit to me.

All three movies won awards and critical acclaim.

[–] kwestmo (4385) 5 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kwestmo (4385) 5 years ago

I see your point

[–] ILJtheFirst (2104) 5 years ago

Isn't Cats also a smash hit? It's been on broadway like 15 years. I thought it was well reviewed. Maybe not?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

The original Broadway musical opened on October 7, 1982. It ran for nearly 18 years, closing on September 10, 2000, making it the fourth longest running musical in Broadway history.

It had a revival which opened on July 31, 2016 and closed December 30, 2017.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

The stage version was a hit. This new movie is nightmare fuel.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2408) 5 years ago

I bet an animated version of talking cats would have done awesome. Yeah they'd have to toy w it some. But if they retooled little mermaid...etc I don't see why they could not do the same w cats.