Judi Dench Calls ‘Cats’ Film a Waste of Talent and Goodwill

WHO:

Deadline - Judi Dench, an Oscar winner, played a role in Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of *Cats*.

Variety - Judi Dench played Old Deuteronomy in Tom Hooper’s *Cats*.

Deadline - Tom Hooper directed the film, adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage show.

Variety - Andrew Lloyd Webber created the musical adapted by the film.

WHAT:

Deadline - In her memoir, *Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?*, Dench described the use of “goodwill and talent” on *Cats* as a “waste.”

Deadline - Dench said, “Oh God, I can’t bear it,” about the film.

Variety - Dench reflected on the film, which Variety described as “universally panned.”

Variety - *Cats* had a “stacked cast.”

WHEN:

Deadline - *Cats* was released in 2019.

Variety - *Cats* was released in 2019.

WHY:

Deadline - Dench lamented what she saw as a waste of goodwill and talent in the film adaptation.

HOW:

Deadline - Dench shared her views in her memoir, *Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?*

Variety - The film adapted Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, which Variety described as hugely successful.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 00:44 UTC)

Judi Dench has called the goodwill and talent behind the film *Cats* a “waste,” saying, “Oh God, I can’t bear it.” In her memoir, *Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?*, the Oscar winner reflected on the film, which was widely panned despite its stacked cast. Directed by Tom Hooper and adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hugely successful musical, *Cats* starred Dench as Old Deuteronomy.