'Cats' lands December release date

Los Angeles : Universal Pictures and Working Title will release "Cats", the big-screen adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webbers musical, on December 20.

The studio was originally going to unveil another musical sensation, "Wicked", in that slot, but that film will be delayed and re-dated, reports variety.com.

The story of a tribe of cats who meet each year to decide which among them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer in order to be reincarnated, is being directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper.

The cast boasts stars like Ian McKellen, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden and Taylor Swift.

"Cats" faces some stiff competition as Fox's Hercule Poirot mystery "Death on the Nile" and "Star Wars: Episode IX" are both opening against the film.