In some rather strange news for the day, it is currently being reported that Idris Elba is in final talks to join the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats.

If negotiations are successful, Elba would play the part of Macavity. Macavity is by no means the purrrr-fect cat, he is, in fact, the villain of the piece. He very much has his own agenda including kidnap and is the primary subject of two of the songs. Elba  would be expected to sing during one of them – ‘Macavity Fight’.

Cats is the story of a tribe of felines called the Jellicles and the night they make what is known as “the Jellicle choice” and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.

Also in the news – Viggo Mortensen to star and direct drama ‘Falling’

The film will be directed by Tom Hopper and Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden and Ian McKellen have already been cast for the musical.

Cats first opened in the West End in 1981 and then with the same creative team on Broadway in 1982. It won numerous awards, including Best Musical at both the Laurence Olivier Awards and the Tony Awards. The London production ran for 21 years and the Broadway production ran for 18 years, both setting new records.

The expected release date for the film is December 20th 2019.

Elba is currently filming alongside Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in the Fast and Furious spin-off, Hobbs and Shaw where he will play the villain, Brixton. Elba will also be returning to our TV screens towards the end of the year as the much loved Luther when it returns with its fifth season.  Recently, the London born actor made his directorial debut with Yardie. He will also be appearing in TV series In the Long Run and Turn Up Charlie.