New in Theaters: “Cats” and “The Rise of Skywalker”

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker  (PG-13)  Trailer

 

J.J. Abrams returns to direct the final movie, and uses old footage he filmed of Carrie Fisher for “The Force Awakens” to insert her into “The Rise of Skywalker”.  That included scenes that now give Billie Lourd a chance to play opposite her mom again.

 

Keri Russell joins the cast as a helmeted spice smuggler named Zorii Bliss.  You should also look for cameos from Dominic Monaghan, and composer John Williams.

 

As for the main cast, Daisy Ridley is back as Rey, John Boyega is Finn, Oscar Isaac is Poe, Joonas Suotamo is Chewbacca, and Adam Driver is daddy-killin’ Kylo.

 

Mark Hamill is back as Ghost Luke, and Anthony Daniels also returns as C-3PO.  He’s the only actor who’s appeared in all nine of the Skywalker movies.  R2-D2 actor Kenny Baker passed away in 2016.

 

Cats  (PG)  Trailer

 

Taylor Swift wrote a new song for the movie, called Beautiful Ghosts, with the help of “Cats” creator Andrew Lloyd Webber.  And Jennifer Hudson is the rejected cat Grizabella who gets to sing the main song from the movie, Memory.

 

Judi Dench is the elder cat everyone is trying to impress to prove themselves worthy of being reborn into another life.  The rest of the cast includes Idris ElbaRebel WilsonJames CordenIan McKellen, British ballerina Francesca Hayward, and  Jason Derulo.