Universal Notifies Theaters 'Cats' Is Being Updated With "Improved Visual Effects"

Authored by hollywoodreporter.com and submitted by JoseTwitterFan

The move is unheard of for a finished film already in release.

How many lives does Cats have?

On Friday — the movie's opening day — Universal notified thousands of theaters they will be receiving an updated version of Tom Hooper's troubled film with "some improved visual effects," according to a copy of the memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

The move is unheard of for a finished title already in release, according to cinema operators and Hollywood studio executives. Insiders say it is being done at Hooper's request.

Cats — which has been ravaged by critics — is in need of any help it can get at the box office after opening to $2.6 million on Friday and receiving a C+ CinemaScore from moviegoers.

Hooper has been upfront about the fact that he barely finished the CGI-heavy Cats in time for the Dec. 16 world premiere in New York City. Sources say he subsequently wanted to make more tweaks to certain effects.

Working Title produced the star-studded Christmas film, which cost roughly $100 million to make after tax rebates and incentives, and before marketing.

Universal's dispatch to exhibitors said the changes do not affect the running time.

The studio declined comment on Saturday.

The updated movie will be available to download Sunday via a satellite server, while exhibitors who don't have access to the server will receive a hard drive by Tuesday, per Universal's note. The studio is asking that theaters replace the current print of Cats as soon as possible.

Cinemas received Cats this week in preparation of opening weekend.

AresStare on December 21st, 2019 at 22:57 UTC »

Aside from the fact this will likely have zero impact on the reviews or box office, I have never heard of a film being updated like this after release. There seem to have been major breakdowns between the director and the studio on this project.

shaneo632 on December 21st, 2019 at 22:57 UTC »

So those of us who saw it opening night with cats hands and feet clipping through the floor saw a piece of cinematic history condemned to a dusty studio vault?

thebedshow on December 21st, 2019 at 22:45 UTC »

When is the Cats battle pass coming?