--- title: "The “Cats” Movie Was So Awful They Patched It" description: "The Hollywood Reporter obtained a memo that suggests Universal Pictures has notified thousands of theaters that they'll receive a new \"Cats\" movie." date: "2019-12-23" modified: "2020-02-13" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/cats-movie-awful-patched" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "cats" - "cgi" - "movie" - "the digest" --- # The “Cats” Movie Was So Awful They Patched It ![A memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter suggests that distributor Universal has notified thousands of theaters that they'll receive a new "Cats" version.]() *\Image: Universal\* ## CGI Update The 2019 cinematic take on Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1981 musical "Cats" was a catastrophe from the get-go: [critics]() and [moviegoers]() alike were appalled by what they saw. And now, as the movie barely survives its [opening weekend](), a memo obtained by *The Hollywood Reporter* [suggests]() that distributor Universal has notified thousands of theaters that they'll be receiving an updated version of the movie with "some improved visual effects." ## Rush Job It's unheard of in the movie industry for a title that's already being played in cinemas across the nation to get an upgrade, according to the *Reporter*. Director Tom Hooper has [said before]() that he was extremely pressed for time and had to rush production to make it in time for the world premiere last week. ## Cats 2.0 The movie did reportedly show a lack of polish. Eagle-eyed audience members spotted [human hands]() on starring actress Judi Dench instead of furry cat paws — wedding rings and all. It's unlikely that the CGI update will make the movie much more digestible to audiences: it stands currently at [18 percent]() on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. And it's not looking good financially either. "Cats" raked in only $6.5 million in the U.S. over its opening weekend, according to [*Screen Rant*](), making only a tiny dent in its $95 million budget. **READ MORE:** [Universal Notifies Theaters 'Cats' Is Being Updated With "Improved Visual Effects"]() \[*The Hollywood Reporter*\] **More on "Cats:"** *[“Digital Fur Technology” Will Turn Taylor Swift Into a Cat]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()