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Jason Derulo thought 'Cats' movie would 'change the world'

Jason Derulo as Rum Tum Tugger in 'Cats'. (Credit: Universal)
Jason Derulo as Rum Tum Tugger in 'Cats'. (Credit: Universal)

Jason Derulo has revealed he got “chills down my spine” when he saw the first trailer for Cats and thought the movie would “change the world”.

The R&B star played Rum Tum Tugger in Tom Hooper’s critically savaged adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical, which baffled cinemagoers last year.

Derulo told The Telegraph he had been searching for an ideal role to begin his movie career and that Rum Tum Tugger “checked all the boxes”.

Read more: Hugh Jackman turned down Cats role

He added: “Even when I saw the trailer, I thought it looked unbelievable.

“Like, I know some people saw it and they were terrified, but I got chills down my spine. I thought it was gonna change the world.”

Jason Derulo attends the world premiere of 'Cats' on December 16, 2019. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Jason Derulo attends the world premiere of 'Cats' on December 16, 2019. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

Derulo admitted the movie “didn’t pan out”, but said he has learned important lessons for the future of his career.

He said: “With all things that left-field, it could either be considered genius or bats*** crazy. That’s the risk you take.

“It taught me a lesson. You can’t wait for the perfect moment, ‘cause that might not be your moment. So you’ve just got to go for gold.”

Read more: Movies so terrible people couldn’t watch to the end

Cats was battered by film critics and went on to sweep the board at the Razzie Awards, while also losing tens of millions of pounds at the box office.

'Cats'. (Credit: Universal Pictures)
'Cats'. (Credit: Universal Pictures)

Famous faces have also queued up to trash the film, with Lloyd Webber himself dubbing the movie “ridiculous” and criticising the musical number featuring James Corden.

Corden himself has poked fun at the movie — most notably when he presented an award at the Oscars in full costume alongside co-star Rebel Wilson.

Read more: Cats VFX expert confirms existence of “butthole cut”

The movie boasted an incredible A-list cast, also including Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen and Idris Elba as the villainous Macavity.

Sadly, that cast was unable to elevate the material and the deeply creepy use of “digital fur technology”, with one review notably calling the film “the worst thing to happen to cats since dogs”.