Regardless of whether you were impressed , confused , or downright frightened by thetrailerfor Tom Hooper ’s upcoming film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber ’s classic musicalCats , it ’s safe to say that the whizz - stud cast and “ digital fur engineering ” generated strong chemical reaction all around . And , if you did n’t develop up listening to the soundtrack or find out performing artist in the 1998 celluloid version purr and prance in furry , feline bodysuits , your jounce is completely perceivable .
Catsis light on plot , heavy on characters , and sprinkled with words thatT.S. Eliotmade up for his 1939 poetry collectionOld Possum ’s Book of Practical Cats , the basis for the musical . To familiarise yourself with all the eccentrically named big cat — and find out who’sportrayingthem in the film — here ’s a comprehensive list of every " romantical , pedantical , critical , parasitical , allegorical , metaphorical , statistical , and mystical"catyou’ll meet .
Admetus
Played by : Eric Underwood
Admetus is a powdered ginger and livid Greek chorus bozo with no spoken telephone line , but plenty of strong dancing sequences — perfect for former Royal Ballet soloist Eric Underwood . Though some musical production have renamed Admetus as Plato ( both name are name in “ The assignment of Cats ” ) , the film will sport them as two disjoined characters .
Alonzo
Played by : Bluey Robinson
Alonzo is another chorus cat , identifiable by the inglorious patches of pelt on his look and the black - and - livid stripe on his head . asunder from his ensemble appearances , he has intermittent solo line and also aid Munkustrap during the fight against Macavity . Since vocalist / songwriter Bluey Robinson will depict him in the photographic film , it ’s potential that Alonzo will dance less than he has in stage productions .
Asparagus, the Theatre Cat
Played by : Sir Ian McKellen
Bombalurina
make for by : Taylor Swift
Though Bombalurina is only mentioned by name once ( in “ The assignment of Cats ” ) , she ’s passably hard to miss : the slinky , scarlet - coated cat helps introduce Jennyanydots , the Rum Tum Tugger , Grizabella , Bustopher Jones , and Macavity . She most often sing with Demeter , her duet pardner for “ Macavity the Mystery Cat . ”
Bustopher Jones
Played by : James Corden
fuck as “ the Brummell of computerized axial tomography , ” this black - and - white , epicurean dandy frequents gentlemen ’s club , have on lily-white gaiter , and weigh a walloping 25 pounds . Jones ’s genial manner endears him to just about everyone — not unlike James Corden .
Cassandra
play by : Mette Towley
With her streamlined brown coat and her purple , cryptic style , Cassandra seems like she might ’ve been worshipped by ancient Egyptians in a preceding biography . You might recognize Mette Towley , a member of Pharrell ’s saltation chemical group , The Baes , from herappearancesin 2019’sHustlersand Rihanna ’s “ Lemon ” music video — and you may be certain that she ’ll continue Cassandra ’s legacy as one of the most heart - catch chorus line hombre .
Coricopat and Tantomile
Played by : Jaih Betote andZizi Strallen
These striped matching brinded cats always move in unison and boast psychic abilities . Though the function are sometimescutfrom theatrical production , we ’ll get to see them in the film , play by hip hops dancer Jaih Betote and Zizi Strallen , best known for her work as Mary Poppins in the late West End revival .
Demeter
wager by : Daniela Norman
This multicolored , somewhat spooky cat usually duets with Bombalurina , and together they execute “ Macavity the Mystery Cat ” in full . It ’s oftenimpliedthat Demeter has a complicated amorous past with Macavity , who tries to abduct her during his attack . British ballet terpsichorean Daniela Norman will star opposite Taylor Swift ’s Bombalurina in the flick , and you could also see her in Netflix ’s upcoming ballet dramaseriesTiny Pretty Things .
Grizabella, the Glamour Cat
Played by : Jennifer Hudson
This mature starlet is now decrepit , down , and shamefully reject by the rest of the Jellicles — thinkSunset Boulevard ’s Norma Desmond with more self - knowingness and very raggedy fur . Even if theCatsoriginal cast transcription was n’t the soundtrack for your childhood road trips , you might have hear Grizabella ’s song “ Memory ; ” it ’s been covered by Barbra Streisand , Celine Dion , Barry Manilow , Glee ’s Chris Colfer , and more . American Idolalum ( and general ballad - belting power station ) Jennifer Hudson will bring her Academy Award - winning talents to the persona of Grizabella in the film .
Growltiger and Griddlebone
Played by : Ray WinstoneandMelissa Madden Gray
Growltiger , a rough - riding ocean captain cat , and Griddlebone , his fluffy white lover , come out during “ Growltiger ’s Last stall , ” during which Gus reminisce about having played the part of Growltiger in a stage production long ago . The characters have been left out of some productions , include the 1998 pic , but Hooper ’s version will feature them , where they ’ll be played by British actor Ray Winstone and Australian performer Melissa Madden Gray ( whose stage name , fitly , is Meow Meow ) .
Jellylorum
play by : Freya Rowley
Namedafter T.S. Eliot ’s own computed axial tomography , Jellylorum is a maternal calico who cares for Gus and also helps introduce Jennyanydots and Bustopher Jones . Though sometimes portrayed as honest-to-goodness and more mature than some of the other cats , Freya Rowley ( whoperformedas Tantomile on the UK term of enlistment ofCats ) will likely bring a younger energy to the reference .
Jennyanydots, the Old Gumbie Cat
Played by : Rebel Wilson
Jennyanydots is a goofy old brinded cat who idle around all day and spends her nights teaching the basement vermin various family skills , etiquette , and performing humanities . Under her tutelage , the mouse learn to crocheting , the cockroaches become helpful boy sentinel , and the beetles form a tap - dancing troupe . Rebel Wilson is a perfect match for such a multifaceted , freaky , and amusive gumbie cat ( whatevergumbieis ) .
Macavity, the Mystery Cat
Played by : Idris Elba
The show ’s main antagonist is a tall , fragile criminal cat with sunken eyes and dusty ginger pelt . While the Jellicles are evidently terrified of this “ monster of depravity , ” they also seem eerily impressed by his ability to bilk capture and judgment of conviction . Historically , Macavity has n’t done any speaking , singing , or dancing — he only shows up briefly to kidnap Old Deuteronomy during a rousing cat fight — but here ’s hoping that Hooper has broadened the theatrical role for the motion-picture show so we get to hear at least a good growl or two fromIdris Elba .
Mr. Mistoffelees
Played by : Laurie Davidson
Laurie Davidson , who played Shakespeare in TNT’sWill , will take on the role of Mr. Mistoffelees , an affable tuxedo cat who peppers his wizard tricks with plenty of high leap and zing . He ’s generally beloved by the rest of the cats , and he also save the day by conjuring Old Deuteronomy from wherever Macavity had hidden him .
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
Played by : Danny CollinsandNaoimh Morgan
These two roguish calicos identify themselves as “ knockabout clowns , quick - change comedians , tightrope walkers , and acrobats . ” They ’re also partners in petty crime , infamous for smashing vases , stealing pearls , and loosely wreaking havoc upon their posh family in Victoria Grove . British dancer Danny Collins will join Naoimh Morgan — who actuallyplayedRumpleteazer in theCatsinternational tour — to bring the bouncing rapscallion to life in the film .
Munkustrap
fiddle by : Robert Fairchild
Without Munkustrap , viewers would have little Leslie Townes Hope of understanding what ’s actually happening in this vaguely plat melodious . Though there ’s no Sung to acquaint him , the striking , silvern cat is still arguably the most of import character : He report the function of the Jellicle Ball , tell the action as it unfolds , and lead the armorial bearing against Macavity ’s attack . It take a evidence melodious dramatics machine to play such an integral part , and Hooper has sure establish that in Robert Fairchild , former New York City Ballet chief dancer and Tony Award candidate forAn American in Paris .
Old Deuteronomy
play by : Dame Judi Dench
In the sexuality - swapped role of our dreaming , Dame Judi Dench will run Old Deuteronomy , the revered ( usually male ) town senior who chooses one lucky puss at the annual Jellicle Ball to ascend to cat heaven , the Heaviside Layer , and be born again . It is n’t Dench ’s first time in the junkyard : She waspreparingto look as both Jennyanydots and Grizabella in the original 1981 West End production ofCatswhen she snapped her Achilles tendon and had to pull out .
Plato and Socrates
Played by : Larry and Laurent Bourgeois(Les Twins )
Though Plato is a chorus cat mentioned in “ The appointment of Cats ” and include in some stagecoach production , Socrates was created specifically for Hooper ’s film to make way for both half of Les Twins , also known as Larry and Laurent Bourgeois . The French hip hop duo gained mainstream recognition after Beyoncé sport them in her 2018 Coachella position and subsequent Netflix concert filmHomecoming .
Rum Tum Tugger
Played by : Jason Derulo
The Rum Tum Tugger is a constantly erratic feline with a hatful of rock - n’-roll elan and a pair of hips that he seems to have stolen from Mick Jagger himself . In accession to his own song , Tugger also sings “ Mr. Mistoffelees ” and features in a few other numbers . With Jason Derulo taking on the persona for the film , there ’s a good chance we ’ll see a modernized , moonwalking edition of this swoon - worthy big cat .
Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat
play by : Steven McRae
Skimbleshanks is a wizardly Scotch cat who looks like a favorable tiger and insure that all is in ordering on the night trains , which include everything from patrolling for mice to reminding the safeguard to necessitate passengers how they like their tea . With his flaming red hair and graceful precision , Royal Ballet principal dancer Steven McRae definitely has a twain things in coarse with his character .
Syllabub/Sillabub/Jemima
Played by : Jonadette Carpio
This kitty ’s name alter from production to product , but she ’s usually characterized by her playful , ingenuous manner and her willingness to accept Grizabella when the other Jellicles prove to shun her . Jonadette Carpio , Philippines native and member of the all - female Krump crewBuckness Personified , will bring her street saltation scope to the role in the film .
Victoria
Played by : Francesca Hayward
Though lithe , light - footed Victoria does n’t sing any lines of her own in the original musical , her gleaming white coat and balletic dance solo still make her a standout — so it ’s only meet that Royal Ballet principal professional dancer Francesca Hayward will bring her to life in the film , where the role has been expanded into a chief character . Andrew Lloyd Webber and Taylor Swift even get together on a new Sung called “ Beautiful Ghosts ” that Hayward will peach in the motion-picture show .
Miscellaneous Chorus Cats
Because dramatics companionship vary in size and scope , certain chorus cat are sometimes omitted from productions — or member of the ensemble just are n’t assigned specific characters . At this point , Bill Bailey , Carbucketty , Electra , Etcetera , Peter , Pouncival , Quaxo , Rumpus Cat , Tumblebrutus , and Victor are all chorus cat figure that have n’t been given to anybody in the pic , but that does n’t mean we wo n’t see extra cats in the shadows . harmonise toDance Spirit , Corey John Snide and Kolton Krause , who played Coricopat and Tumblebrutus on Broadway , respectively , have both been spue as ensemble phallus in Hooper ’s film .
