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.
This isn’t a joke: CATS was rushed into theaters before being finished so a new version is being sent to theaters with updated effects. How do you know if you have the old version? Look for Judi Dench’s human hand, wedding ring and all. pic.twitter.com/VDUOevePU9
— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) December 22, 2019
impassioned CATS fans form human chain around theater to prevent delivery of CATS update and to preserve Dame Judi Dench’s human hand
— JuanPa (@jpbrammer) December 22, 2019
Release the “Judi Dench human hand" cut. https://t.co/6oXHo9HLQb
— Daniel Lucena (@Danilugoce) December 22, 2019
I will ask for my money back if Judi Dench’s human hand ISN’T in the movie I see. https://t.co/GV1HRLxPOZ
— Nicole Fell (@nikkimfell) December 22, 2019
2019 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress:
Judi Dench’s human hand.
— Dashiell M. Silva (@dashiellsilva) December 23, 2019
sorry to the woman next to me on the train who has seen me search for “judi dench human hand” and “cats wedding ring” because out of context those phrases seem uniquely deranged
— ali sousa ✨ (@alisousa4) December 22, 2019
“We need to go see CATS before they fix it.”
“You want to see Dame Judi Dench’s human hand?”
“YES.”— Cyrus (doing a fundraiser) (@chrysopoetics) December 23, 2019
“Judi Dench’s human hand” is the best band name ever. I call dibs!! https://t.co/cbqLbbf8rl
— yazmine but christmas themed ✨ (@yazminenlynch) December 22, 2019
“Look for Judi Dench’s human hand” sounds like the most ominous sign of a prophecy https://t.co/wGewGuZVvA
— Shills (@tshiIIs) December 23, 2019
Instead of hastily changing CATS so Dame Judi Dench’s hand looks more cat-like, we could instead change all cat paws to look more like Dame Judi Dench’s hand
— James Kelleher (@etienneshrdlu) December 22, 2019
Imagine being Judi Dench and having, at this age, the most famous hand in show business
— Jonathan Schumann (@jon_shoe) December 22, 2019
Cats, likely the version sans Judi Dench’s human hand, will be released in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day.