After a wild opening weekend that featured many pun-happy reviews (think ‘cat-astrophe’, a-paw-ling), Universal Pictures has issued a statement to cinemas that they’ll be sending out new copies of the film with “improved visual effects”.
Per (purr? SORRY!) The Hollywood Reporter, this is “unheard of for a finished title already in release”, but has come at the request of director Tom Hooper, who rushed the film out in order to have it ready for its world premiere in New York City last Monday.
Speaking with Variety at the world premiere, Hooper said that he “finished it at 8 a.m. yesterday after 36 hours in a row. I just put the finishing touches on. So, I’m very happy to be here with it fully finished.”
The studio has asked theatres to replace its copies ASAP, which means Australian moviegoers will likely not get to see Dame Judi Dench’s human hand, which is fast becoming everyone’s favourite festive meme on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/jenelleriley/status/1208659588414758912
https://twitter.com/jpbrammer/status/1208877588011192320
https://twitter.com/Danilugoce/status/1208779397240631297
https://twitter.com/nikkimfell/status/1208801699428585472
https://twitter.com/dashiellsilva/status/1208904842086891521
https://twitter.com/alisousa4/status/1208738133745029120
https://twitter.com/chrysopoetics/status/1208925954829012993
https://twitter.com/yazminenlynch/status/1208873962689593344
https://twitter.com/tshiIIs/status/1208955986553257985
https://twitter.com/etienneshrdlu/status/1208890001183924224
https://twitter.com/jon_shoe/status/1208891278517243904
Cats, likely the version sans Judi Dench’s human hand, will be released in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day.
