Tom Hoopers movie adaptation of Cats is still chugging along and absorbing stars at an alarming rate. The latest to join this merry band? Judi Dench. Yes, even the Oscar-winning dame has given in to the whims of this musical. Shell reportedly be playing Old Deuteronomy, the wise, ancient leader of the Jellicle cats. (Beam that sentence into space, and see if the aliens make anything of it.) Its a gender swap, as the role is usually played by a man in stage versions of the show.
Dench joins a cast that thus far includes cat lady Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson (who will play Grizabella), Ian McKellen, and James Corden. Idris Elba is also reportedly set to join the cast as mysterious villain Macavity. The character—an effortless criminal who gets away with anything and everything—is classically introduced via the bluesy number “Macavity,” sung by lady cats Bombalurina and Demeter. Per Andrew Lloyd Webber, Swift is set to play one of those characters, though hes not yet sure which one, because he hasnt met the pop star in person. And as we all know, there are only two kinds of people in this world (Bombalurinas and Demeters).
As all the Bitter Betties have noted, Cats is yet another project Elba has added to his schedule that is very much not a James Bond movie. However, Dench joining the cast is kind of a fun twist, as the actress has starred in the 007 franchise as M, the imperious head of M.I.6, since 1995. In a roundabout way, Cats will offer us the chance to watch Dench and the peoples Bond in that classic leader vs. rebel dynamic—though theyll be (presumably?) covered in cat makeup and crazy costumes. Take your kicks where you can get them, folks. Per Lloyd Webber, rehearsals have begun on the project, which is set for a December 2019 release date, and production will begin next month.
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:Everything Meghan Markle Wore on Her South Pacific Tour
October 18, 2018
Wearing a Club Monaco dress, a Martin Grant coat, and a rare pair of flats, by Rothys.Photo: By Samir Hussein/Getty Images.
October 18, 2018
Wearing a dress by Dion Lee.Photo: By Karwai Tang/WireImage.
October 17, 2018
Wearing a blazer designed by her friend Serena Williams, a shirt by Maison Kitsune, and jeans by Australian brand Outland Denim.Photo: By Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock.
October 16, 2018
For the couples first appearance of the trip, Meghan paired a white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee—its called “Blessed”, which feels pretty pointed toward her recent pregnancy news—with a beige trench coat.Photo: By Karwai Tang/WireImage.
October 16, 2018
Meghan changed for an evening appearance into an olive green dress by Brandon Maxwell.Photo: By Samir Hussein/WireImage.
October 16, 2018
Meghan wore a pair of butterfly earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana for both appearances on Monday.Photo: Left, by Samir Hussein/WireImage; Right by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images.PreviousNext
October 18, 2018
Wearing a Club Monaco dress, a Martin Grant coat, and a rare pair of flats, by Rothys.By Samir Hussein/Getty Images.
October 18, 2018
Wearing a dress by Dion Lee.By Karwai Tang/WireImage.
October 17, 2018
Wearing a blazer designed by her friend Serena Williams, a shirt by Maison Kitsune, and jeans by Australian brand Outland Denim.By Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock.
October 16, 2018
For the couples first appearance of the trip, Meghan paired a white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee—its called “Blessed”, which feels pretty pointed toward her recent pregnancy news—with a beige trench coat.By Karwai Tang/WireImage.
October 16, 2018
Meghan changed for an evening appearance into an olive green dress by Brandon Maxwell.By Samir Hussein/WireImage.
October 16, 2018
Meghan wore a pair of butterfly earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana for both appearances on Monday.Left, by Samir Hussein/WireImage; Right by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images.
Yohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
[contf] [contfnew] 
Vanity Fair
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
