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Idris Elba in Talks for Movie Musical ‘Cats’

Luther star Idris Elba has his next role all lined up, and no, it’s not James Bond (at least not yet, though we’re still holding out hope). Elba is in final negotiations to join the latest film adaptation of  Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical Cats.

The upcoming film already has an all-star cast which includes Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, James Corden, Laurie Davidson, and Mette Towley. According to Deadline, Elba is signing on to play the role of the villainous Macavity, the Jellicle leader who kidnaps Deuteronomy and attempts to capture Demeter.

The film version of Cats has been in the works for quite some time and news of the project first broke back in 2016. Once the longest running show in Broadway history, Cats is leaping stage to screen with the same director that brought us the film adaptation of Les Miserables, Tom Hooper. Hooper will also produce the film alongside Working Title’s Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and fellow Les Mis producer Debra Hayward. Steven Spielberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Angela Morrison are all on board to serve as executive producers.

Written and composed by Lloyd Webber, Cats first debuted in 1981 and is based on T.S. Elliot’s book of poetry called Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The show begins with all of the cat characters assembling, hoping to be chosen by Old Deuteronomy as the most deserving cat to make the journey to the Heavy Side Lair. Only one cat can be chosen, and the musical numbers throughout the show tell the story of each cat hoping to be the chosen one.

Elba is currently keeping busy working with Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham on Hobbs & Shaw (the spinoff of The Fast and the Furious). Rumors have also been circulating that Elba is next in line to take on the role of the iconic James Bond with talks of Daniel Craig potentially being finished with the franchise.

One thing’s for sure; we can’t wait to see him and this incredible cast take on the classic musical Cats.

What do you think about Idris Elba joining the cast of Cats? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.