Dame Judi Dench has opened up about her involvement in the universally panned 2019 movie adaptation of Cats, describing the star-studded project as a devastating “waste of all that goodwill and talent.” The acclaimed 91-year-old actor revisits the troubled production in her forthcoming memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, which is scheduled for release on November 3.
In the film, directed by Tom Hooper, Dench played the wise moggy Old Deuteronomy. Despite featuring a prominent ensemble cast that included Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, James Corden, and Jennifer Hudson, the movie became a massive critical and commercial failure, grossing just $76 million worldwide against a $100 million budget. Dench famously received a Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie) nomination for Worst Supporting Actress for her performance.
Reflecting on a Critical Catastrophe
Writing candidly in her upcoming book, Dench shares her sorrow over how the project turned out, particularly for original stage musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lloyd Webber had spent decades trying to bring his iconic theatrical creation to the big screen.
“Oh God, I can’t bear it — and [Lloyd Webber] had waited so long for it to be made,” Dench writes. “What a waste of all that goodwill and talent. I understand the critics were rather hostile to the film. I never saw the final cut so I can’t judge.”
Although Dench has consistently maintained that she never watched the completed film, she defends the intentions of everyone involved in the production. She emphasizes that creative endeavors inherently carry risks and that no one starts a project intending to fail.
No Villains in the Making of Cats
Rather than pointing fingers at the director or her co-stars, Dench views the failure through a wider lens, acknowledging the complex moving parts required to bring any piece of entertainment to life.
“All I’ll say is nobody sets out to give a poor performance or make a bad film,” she notes. “You do your best, offer something up and hope that people will get on board and join the party. It’s a miracle that anything is ever made — films, plays, TV — let alone turn out to be a success, because there are so many moving parts.”
She adds that systemic hurdles rather than malicious intent often dictate the outcome of a project: “Sometimes things just don’t work out: the timing’s wrong, the cast don’t gel, the elements don’t coalesce. But people’s intentions are mostly honorable. There were no villains in the making of Cats. And if something isn’t a success, then there are always things you can say you’ve learnt.”
Broader Reactions to the 2019 Adaptation
Dench’s reflections echo the sentiments of other key figures associated with the production. Andrew Lloyd Webber has previously spoken out about his deep dissatisfaction with the film, noting that the adaptation left him feeling so emotionally distressed that he bought a dog as an emotional support companion.
Despite the severe backlash, harsh reviews, and subsequent Razzie wins—including Worst Picture and Worst Director for Tom Hooper—Dench remains focused on the silver lining of creative resilience. Readers can explore her full account of the production when Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? hits shelves on November 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Judi Dench play in the 2019 film Cats?
Dame Judi Dench played Old Deuteronomy, the wise elder leader of the Jellicle cats, in Tom Hooper’s 2019 film adaptation.
Has Judi Dench watched the finished version of Cats?
No, Dench has repeatedly stated that she never watched the final cut of the film, meaning she feels she cannot personally judge the final performances on screen.
What does Judi Dench say about the film in her memoir?
In her memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, Dench calls the movie a “waste of all that goodwill and talent,” while defending the cast and crew by stating that everyone had honorable intentions and that there were no villains involved.
Did Judi Dench receive any awards recognition for Cats?
Dench was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award (Razzie) in the Worst Supporting Actress category for her performance in the film.
When is Judi Dench’s memoir being released?
Her memoir, titled Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, is scheduled for publication on November 3.
