Over the summer, we found out that pop icon and cat lover Taylor Swift would be starring in the upcoming movie musical adaptation of Broadway’s hit Cats, but until recently, we didn’t know which of our favorite felines she would be playing. Well, the wait is over! Last week, Taylor shared a selfie to her Instagram in front of a sign that said “Bombalurina”.
Back in the fall, Andrew Lloyd Weber (the musical’s writer) revealed to Vulture at the 2018 American Theatre Wing Gala that he was excited that Taylor is a cat person and that she would be playing “one of the ‘Macavity’ girls.” If you haven’t seen cats, Taylor’s character, Bombalurina, and her partner in crime, Demeter, sing “Macavity the Mystery Cat” as a duet. Now, we know which half of that pair Taylor will be playing, so it’s only a matter of time before we actually get to hear the “Look What You Made Me Do Singer” taking on that song with an as yet, unannounced Demeter.
With Taylor Swift on the cast so far are celebrities Jennifer Hudson (who has taken on the role of former glamour cat Grizzabella), Ian McKellen (Gus), Idris Elba (Macavity), James Corden (Bustopher Jones), Jason Derulo (Rum Tum Tugger), Judi Dench (Deuteronomy), and Rebel Wilson (Jennyanydots).
Our favorite music and movie stars aren’t the only ones in the cast for Cats, though. Several professional dancers, including principal dancers from the Royal Ballet in Covent Garden, are donning whiskers for the production. Royal Ballet principal Frankie Hayward will play Victoria, the go-between for the different cats in the junkyard. Principal Steven McRae will be playing Skimbleshanks. Mette Towley, known for choreographing for Pharrell, will be joining the cast as Jemima. Les Twins will even be in the musical (though their roles have yet to be announced)!
Filming for Cats began in London in November and the musical is set to hit the big screen on December 20, 2019, in the US and UK. It is set to feature all the songs from the original stage musical that we all know and love, so it’s time to start relistening to be prepared for this incredible event at the end of the year!