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'Cat in the Hat' goes to the movies – again

Following on the success of "The Lorax," a new movie version of "The Cat in the Hat" – this time animated – is now being planned.

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R: Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Studios/Dreamworks
The 2003 movie version of 'The Cat in the Hat' starring Mike Myers was a box office and critical misfire.
  • By Molly Driscoll

Another beloved Seuss book will get the big-screen treatment. A new adaptation of “The Cat in the Hat” is being planned, but this one will be animated.

Following on the box-office and critical success of “The Lorax,” the film’s producer Christopher Meledandri and Dr. Seuss's widow Audrey Geisel will be working with Universal Pictures on a CG-animated 3-D adaptation of the beloved story of the wild and wonderful cat who comes by to play when Mother is out. “Lorax” was produced by Universal and Illumination Entertainment, the company for which Meledandri is the founder and CEO.

The news of the “Cat” adaptation surprised some because the Seuss classic has already been made into a movie. The 2003 adaptation starring Mike Myers had more adult humor than many expected and received negative reviews. The film did not make as much money as had been anticipated. Geisel disliked the movie and made a statement after it was released that future Seuss adaptations would only be animated.

Rob Lieber, who co-wrote the 2006 movie adaptation of the children’s book “Hoot,” is set to write the screenplay for “Cat.” Lieber is also penning the script for the movie adaptation of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”

Molly Driscoll is a Monitor contributor.

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