I ran across a story about the kitten(s) that starred in Keanu, which is coming out this week. In case you don’t know anything about this film, here’s the plot: Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are a couple of dorky middle-class humans. When their adorable kitten is catnapped by a drug dealer, they have to pretend to be thugs themselves to get him back. So basically, the kitten is the star of the film, no matter what billing the humans get.
Here’s a trailer for the movie (warning for the sensitive — there is violence and some HBO words):
If you can’t see the above video, click here to watch it on YouTube!
The Hollywood Reporter story I found mentions something that some of you may not know: often in movies, multiple cats or kittens are used to play one part… at least when there are real cats at all — way too many films these days rely on CGI animals. This one didn’t, and I give them a high paw for that! Keanu required seven different cute tabby kittens, each with his own set of stunts. They picked tabbies (which they got from the shelters) because they were common and it was easy to match patterns. The kittens were trained especially for the movie, and when they weren’t in scenes, they doubled as therapy for the cast and crew… and all of them wound up with homes! Three of them stayed with the trainer and the rest went to regular households — or as regular as an entertainment industry home can be (my human knows because she grew up in one).
The story also mentioned some of the training techniques — and they are a lot of the same things I do! The kittens were trained to wear hats by using treats — and you can bet I got lots of treats for wearing this awful thing.
The kittens were also trained on location — the same way my human puts me through my paces when I’m at loud, noisy cat shows. In fact, I enjoy doing tricks for visitors at cat shows, and a couple of times my human even let a kid do high fives with me! That was fun. I’m still learning how to ring the bell, but once I do, it’s coming with me to cat shows.
The important thing is that the humans let the kittens set the pacing. And that is really how cat training goes — it’s more the cat showing the humans what they like to do, and then the humans helping the cats make the most of it. A trainer can mold a dog’s behavior. We cats do it the opposite way — we mold the trainer’s behavior. And even Hollywood trainers have to bow to the whims of the tiniest kitten.
My human is going to see Keanu when it comes out! Is it the sort of movie you’d watch?
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I did enjoy that movie.
This is clearly an old blog Summer. I am fearful of movies that feature animals. I typically wind up crying and having to leave. Marley and Me for example, Water for my Horses, that ended very badly for me, Flipper, well you get it. I’m sure Keanu was fine but I know better now. If kitty was ever in any danger I’d be balling like a five year old (Pssst Summer, I can watch people getting killed in movies and not even flinch) Guess I’m a little crazy, or just love animals more than humans. Right or wrong, they are my heart
So cool!
Purrz!
Selina
I’m sure that it will be a fur-tastic movie. My daughter and her husband went to see it today!
They had a story about the training of the kittens for the movie in our newspaper today. The movie got a good rating, but Mom will probably wait until it comes to TV. Our humans like movies but rarely find time to go. Good luck with ringing that bell, Summer. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Keanu the kitten(s) rocks! I will have to rent it when it comes out just to see them! (I can’t go to movies because I am allergic to the dye they use in the popcorn machines-anaphalaxis) Thanks for sharing the info on training too, I loved your post today 🙂
Marty’s Mom
We like that its done with real kitties.
How great that they are all in real homes now. A good reward fur a job well done!
Pee Ess…not sure if the movie is the kind that meowmy would actually want to see…but maybe on account of the kitty, MOL!
Well, we’d like the movie WAAAAAAY better if you were in it, Summer, but the Human does like Key and Peele and that kitten *is* pretty cute, so . . . . maybe.
OH. MY. MOUSES. I should so take the peep to see that movie on Mother’s Day. You think they’ll let me in the theatre? Purrs, Seville.
Great minds!!!! I was going to blog about this tomorrow and then changed my mind (I hadn’t seen your post yet, but changed my mind before I saw this!) Also, all of the kittens that were on The Today Show today are adoptable at Northshore Animal League!
We think you ‘re going to be a movie star someday, Summer! You’ve got the moves!
Thumbs up from me, and see happy face ok you can’t see my happy face but I have one
I’m glad the cats do the training cos it sounds awfully close to being more dog. BTW, you should be in the movies.
Well pretty Summer, you could be the star of any movie!
Summer, we think you should be a movie star! That trailer was funny! We’d have to make 1000% sure the kitty doesn’t get hurt in any way before our mommy could go see it. She’s one of those wusses who’s eyes leak if a cartoon kitty gets hurt. Yep, she’s weird.
Not my usual type of movie but with a feline star I’ll be watching for sure!
We’ve heard that they usually use mutiple animals in movies. We think it would be fun to be in a movie. And we might even consider wearing hats if it got us lots of treats.
That really does look a fun (if rather extravagently gun filled) movie!
Very interesting post, Summer! Mom isn’t sure if she’s going to see that movie and will wait to see what the local critics say but most times she doesn’t rely on them.
The human totally cracked up over that trailer!
You are ready to be a big star, Summer!
Are you going to be a movie star cat someday, Summer? I’d love to watch a movie starring you.
I definitely want to see Keanu. Anything about cats is ok with me.
Please let us know how if the movie is good – mom may want to see it!
I never knew they use multiple cats or kittens to play parts in movies, but it makes total sense. I wonder if your human will be able to tell the kitties apart!
We are so happy that the kitties got furever homes.
Gangster cat! heh
That is so funny.
I think you would make an excellent movie star Summer.
mom keeps seeing previews – it really isn’t her kind of movie, but she sure loves the kittens. and the guys did part of their PR tour in cat cafes. how cool is that?? If you have the same training, are you going to try out for the next movie?
We weren’t even sure what was going on in that trailer so we’re not sure we’d make it through a whole movie.
Summer, I bet you could star in a movie all by yourself with no extra kitties to play you.
I’m very happy to hear the kitties starred in the movie found homes 🙂
Thanks Summer! That movie just looks like a dose of funny entertainment. Please keep us posted, we have to see it!!!
KEANU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes we are too excited.
Purrs xoxo
Summer, the FIRST photo looks exactly like the very first Twitter photo of yours that I saw, that made me fall in love with you!! I think of that as the “Classic Pretty Cat Summer Samba Pose!”
In that particular pose, your front feet are together, you’re standing up (like an Egyptian Cat Sculpture), look very pretty, kind of like a fox!
And, the last one is another “Gentle Playful Pretty” look!
i love key and peele.
That’s great that four of the kittens found homes after the movie was completed! 🙂
the critters in the cottage xo
Love this post and love that they used shelter kittens who now all have homes. Yes, I will be seeing this movie. I know it will be very silly, but silly is right up my alley! I also love Key and Peele. So throw in a kitten, and it’s a must-see!
Oh yeah, you bet mom and dad are going to see the movie. Mom can’t wait. Gotta check out this Keanu. It’s so cool how kitties mold the trainers. You never know Summer, you might be the next sensation. Purrs
The kitten was surely the best actor in the film.
I decided to not let mom see the violence or singe our earsies BUT we may go back and watch anyway I will make up my mind. xoxox
Oh Summer what a fun movie.
Golly gee wish I had known I could get treats for wearing a hat.
I tell you one thing you look great in hats!!
hugs madi your bfff
That does look like a neat movie!
We like that cats mold the trainers behavior too 😉
Purrs Georgia and Julie,
Treasure and JJ
Yeah, that kitty is the star!
We decided to skip the possible violence, but Harray fer the kitteh being a star of a movie.
Maybe that’s a good way to rescue kittens; put them all in the movies.