The first full length trailer for the Universal movie Cats has been released, featuring a shimmying Taylor Swift as the flirtatious Bombalurina.
Following fans extreme reaction to the ‘horrifying’ teaser, the new clip gives a more indepth look at the ambitious attempt by Oscar-winning King’s Speech director Tom Hooper to turn Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record breaking stage musical into a cinematic release.
The film uses CGI technology to transform a truly A list cast into felines – from singers Swift and Jason Derulo to Oscar-winners Judi Dench and Jennifer Hudson.
But fans remain divided and baffled by the ‘creepy’ human-cat hybrid, with one viewer commenting on social media: ‘Taylor shimmying and her cat boobs shaking is truly the strangest and potentially creepiest thing I have seen.’
Here’s Taylor! Swift stars in the first full length trailer for the cinematic adaptation of Cats
Shake It Off! We see Taylor’s signature dance move in action, but fans were horrified by her ‘creepy cat boobs shaking’
Can’t miss her: Taylor’s Bombalurina is a major character in the movie
Rocking out: Jason Derulo is seen in the trailer, which gives fans an indepth look at the ambitious attempt by Oscar-winning King’s Speech director Tom Hooper to turn Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record breaking stage musical into a cinematic release
Meet Macavity: The Wire’s Idris Elba is seen in character as master criminal Macavity
Delving into the Jellicle world: Viewers hear Judi Dench’s Old Deuteronomy talking about how one special cat will be reborn ‘so they can be who they’ve always dreamed of being’
The result is certainly eye catching, if at first look rather jarring, with the actors filmed using green screen technology then clothed in CGI fur and whiskers, with the addition of long tails.
The new trailer also shows the cast demonstrating their best cat mannerisms, from licking themselves, to yelling for ‘milllllllkkkk’ and pawing with their hands.
While the first teaser was set to one of the musical’s iconic songs, Memories, the new longer clip delves a little deeper into the Jellicle Cats’ world.
Viewers hear Judi Dench’s Old Deuteronomy talking about how one special cat will be reborn ‘so they can be who they’ve always dreamed of being.’
Big man: James Corden is set to play Bustopher Jones, while behind him, is seen Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward who takes the starring role in her feature film debut
Trafalgar Square: The film, written by Hooper and Lee Hall, is choreographed by Hamilton’s Tony-winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler
Watch out: The movie uses dance styles from classical ballet to contemporary, hip-hop to jazz, street dance to tap
Ambitious: Shot on green screen, the finished movie features luxe staging and backdrops
Ambitious: There are plenty of incredibly elaborate dance scenes
We also see Dench’s character – played by a man originally – telling The Wire’s Idris Elba’s velvet-skinned Macavity that she judges cats by their souls.
The Late Late Show host James Corden, X Men’s Ian McKellen, comic actress Rebel Wilson also star, while the film introduces England’s Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward who takes the starring role of white kitten Victoria in her feature film debut.
The film, written by Hooper and Lee Hall, is choreographed by Hamilton’s Tony-winning choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, using dance styles from classical ballet to contemporary, hip-hop to jazz, street dance to tap.
One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, the stage musical Cats is based on characters from T.S. Elliot’s poetry book Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.
Ever popular: One of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, the stage musical Cats is based on characters from T.S. Elliot’s poetry book Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats
Cat life: Since opening in London in 1981, Cats has continuously appeared on stage around the globe, to date having played to 81 million people in more than fifty countries
Historic: Cats received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 years and earned the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical
Comic cat: Rebel Wilson plays Jennyanydots, and is seen in a couple of amusing moments
Watch out! Macavity is not to be trusted, as kitten Victoria will eventually learn
It received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 years and earned the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical.
In 1983, the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for an extraordinary 18 years.
Since opening in London in 1981, Cats has continuously appeared on stage around the globe, to date having played to 81 million people in more than fifty countries and in nineteen languages.
It remains to be seen if the movie will win over fans as successfully, with initial reactions divided.
While some cannot wait to see their favorites as felines, others were simply unable to accept the transformation, flooding social media with reaction.
Divisive: Fans remain divided by the ‘creepy’ human-cat hybrid, with one viewer commenting on social media: ‘Taylor shimmying and her cat boobs shaking is truly the strangest and potentially creepiest thing I have seen’
Shake it off: Taylor’s ‘cat breasts’ caused dismay online
‘Kinda weird’: The upright human-cat hybrids feature nippleless mounds on their chest area
‘Had to watch’: While fans felt ‘nauseating confusion’, they couldn’t look away
Memories: Taylor shimmying proved a popular meme
Time for therapy: Idris Elba’s Macavity raised a few eyebrows
Not popular: Idris’ velvety body divided fans
The stuff of nightmares: But James Corden has the cat paws down
