Andrew Lloyd Webber has given his verdict on the Cats film adaptation – and it doesn’t sound like he was a fan.
The musical maestro has branded last year’s big-screen version of his stage show “ridiculous”, hitting out at director Tom Hooper.
Speaking to the Sunday Times magazine: “The problem with the film was that Tom Hooper decided, as he had with Les Mis, that he didn’t want anybody involved in it who was involved in the original show.
“The whole thing was ridiculous.”
It was the first time Andrew has directly criticised the film, but earlier this year he did appear to take a swipe at James Corden’s “unfunny” depiction of Bustopher Jones.
During a YouTube live commentary of a 1998 film version of the stage show, Andrew said: “Bustopher without interruption, as I wrote it. Do not be beguiled by other versions.
“Other versions with unfunny interpolations which I begged to be cut out. I did manage to get the worst of them removed. I cannot tell you how absolutely un-Eliot it all was in this song... He certainly didn’t hang around on a seesaw.”
Cats – which also starred Judi Dench, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo and Taylor Swift – was mauled by critics upon its release in December.
Judi Dench and James Corden both later admitted they had yet to actually watch it in full, but the Gavin & Stacey star insisted he had “no regrets” about appearing in it.
During a skit with Justin Bieber on his US talk show, James said: “I had the loveliest time making that film. It took me six days and I loved every single second of it. So, I think you gotta decide things on your own personal experience, and I had a really great time.
“I don’t regret doing it all, because I decided to do it in the same way I decided to do many things. Some have worked, some haven’t.”