Why not take a little Dr. Seuss chance?
Especially when that chance involves the Cat in the Hat, a potato on a string and a brand-new song from one of our favorite musical stars from the 2000s to today, Hilary Duff.
With “The Cat in the Hat” preparing to cause all sorts of chaos in theaters this November, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has released a new trailer for the upcoming animated film—and there are quite a few Things happening in this one.
Action? Check.
Drama? Somehow, also check.
Mischief, magic and mayhem? This is the Cat in the Hat we’re talking about.
But accompanying all of that beautifully strange Dr. Seuss chaos is our first taste of an original song created for the film, “CATastrophe,” performed by Hilary Duff.
And suddenly our 2000s-loving hearts have another reason to be paying attention.
The upbeat track serves as the soundtrack to a rapid-fire look at the Cat’s upcoming adventure, which brings Dr. Seuss’ famous troublemaker to the big screen for his animated theatrical feature debut on November 6.
This isn’t quite the Cat’s usual visit on a rainy afternoon, either.
Bill Hader voices the Cat, who has apparently turned his particular talent for creating chaos into an actual profession. He works for the I.I.I.I.—or the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration, LLC—where he is tasked with spreading joy to children in the wonderfully over-the-top way only the Cat in the Hat could possibly manage.
His newest assignment brings him to Gabby and Sebastian, a pair of siblings struggling after moving to a new town. Cheering them up should theoretically be simple enough.
Then again, this is the Cat.
Known for taking things considerably further than necessary, this assignment could become his last opportunity to prove himself before he loses his magical hat. Naturally, that means we’re heading on a fantastical journey filled with the kind of imagination, absurdity and complete disregard for normality that has helped make Dr. Seuss’ world so beloved for generations.
The new trailer certainly isn’t interested in keeping things small.
We get a fast-moving collection of colorful worlds, strange situations and plenty of Things as the Cat throws himself—and everyone around him—into another enormous adventure. Pair all of that with “CATastrophe,” and the trailer feels determined to turn the Cat’s particular brand of chaos all the way up.
Duff’s involvement also adds an unexpectedly fun generational layer to the film. Plenty of parents who grew up with her music in the 2000s are now introducing their own children to characters and stories they remember from childhood, including the wonderfully strange worlds of Dr. Seuss.
Now those worlds get to collide.
“The Cat in the Hat” is directed by Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni from their own screenplay, with a screen story by Caroline Williams. Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern produce, while Lorne Balfe provides the film’s music.
Hader leads a packed voice cast alongside Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Xochitl Gomez, Giancarlo Esposito and America Ferrera, with Tituss Burgess, Bowen Yang, Paula Pell and Tiago Martinez also lending their voices to the adventure.
Warner Bros. Pictures will begin releasing “The Cat in the Hat” internationally on November 4 before its nationwide theatrical debut on November 6.
There are still a few weeks to go before we can see whether the Cat manages to save his magical hat—and probably cause an absolutely ridiculous amount of trouble along the way.
But with a new trailer, Hilary Duff singing “CATastrophe” and more Things than we can possibly keep track of, we’re willing to take the chance.
After all, when the Cat in the Hat comes knocking, normal was never really an option.