Will There be a ‘Cats 2’?

Cats‘ is one of the biggest movies to have come out this year. The 2019 musical fantasy is based on the incredibly popular stage musical that has enjoyed successful runs. However, the original story of ‘Cats’ comes from T.S. Eliot’s 1939 poetry collection, ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’. The story is basically about a tribe of cats called the Jellicles, who have to decide among themselves about which cat gets to ascend to the Heaviside Layer, coming back to a new Jellicle life.

Despite boasting of a great cast, and an incredible budget, vis-a-vis, $95 million, ‘Cats’ had a soft start. In the opening weekend, it managed to bring in around $8.5 million, against the predicted collections of $15 million to $17 million. The weak start can be attributed to two factors. Critics and fans have all been put off by how the animation makes the movie look.

Moreover, ‘Cats’ has clashed with the release of the highly anticipated end to the Skywalker saga, that is, ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘. In light of the combined instances, the movie is not faring all too well in the box office. Therefore, the possibilities of a sequel are quite low. Nonetheless, as far as the source material goes, the groundwork for a sequel exists. Thus, let us tell you everything we know about ‘Cats 2’.

Cats 2 Plot: What Can It Be About?

At the end of ‘Cats’ Grizabella goes off to be reincarnated. Thus, if there is a direct sequel to the movie, that is perhaps where it will pick up from. We might see Grizabella coming back to a new life, forming new acquaintances and embarking on fresh adventures. However, that would hinge on coming up with an entirely new story for the ‘Cats’ sequel. Chances are, if a sequel is made, it will return to the vision laid in the poems, which brings us to the book that is technically the sequel to Eliot’s collection of poems.

Faber & Faber, Eliot’s publishing house, has come out with “Old Toffer’s Book of Consequential Dogs”, which has poems written by Christopher Reid. Notably, Eliot himself had planned the book on dogs as a follow-up to his collection on cats and had even thought of the title. However, he never got around to writing it. Reid’s collection introduces us to a slew of characters who would be extremely fun to watch in the sequel.

Among the dogs is Lola, the circus dog, who can tame lions and walk tightropes. Other mutts include Dobson, a beagle who is a detective giving off the appearance of sleeping when he is actually thinking, Frazzlesprat, the dog who thinks he is a cat, and Flo, the philosophical foxhound, who mulls over bamboozles and paradoxes instead of chasing after foxes. We also have Dog Juan, who does not enjoy a good reputation in Camden and Islington. Together, these dogs get up to all sorts of adventures which could be explored wonderfully in the sequel to ‘Cats’.

Cats 2 Cast: Who Can Be In It?

When it comes to the sequel of ‘Cats’ the cast is a little tricky. This is because the direction of the story will determine whether we get some of our old cast members back, or if we see a new cast entirely. In the event that ‘Cats 2’ continues the story of Grizabella, Jennifer Hudson will definitely be back in the role. The actress just has one project lined up for a 2020 release, up until now, that is, ‘Respect‘. Therefore, she is bound to be on board to continue her adventure. If Grizabella makes entirely new friends once she returns, then the chances are that we will see a new cast.

There is a possibility that Hudson might not be on board for the sequel either. In the event that the sequel to ‘Cats’ is actually a story about dogs and their adventures, we are bound to be getting entirely new actors and actresses to voice the parts. It will be fascinating to see what course the people behind the movie actually decide on.

Cats 2 Crew: Who Can Be Behind It?

Tom Hooper has helmed ‘Cats’ and it is unlikely that the ‘Les Miserables‘ director will be back to helm the sequel as well.  Universal Pictures, which handles the distribution of ‘Cats’, is also unlikely to make a sequel since the first movie does not live up to expectations.

Cats 2 Release Date: When Will It Premiere?

‘Cats’ hasn’t faired well either with the critics or audiences. Given the response that the film has received, it is highly unlikely a sequel will ever be greenlit. But let’s say it does, the earliest Cats 2 can release is 2023, taking into account two years of production time.

Cats 2 Trailer:

‘Cats 2’ does not have a trailer yet, but you can check out the trailer for ‘Cats’ below.

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