A Hollywood star turned into a cat: the strange story of Nine Lives
In short: In 2016, a high-profile fantasy comedy featured a corporate tycoon trapped inside a feline body. Despite a star-studded cast and a thirty-million-dollar budget, the film was savaged by critics and became a punchline. Years later, the lead actor admitted he took the role purely for the paycheck.
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, Nine Lives follows Tom Brand, a workaholic billionaire who neglects his family to build the tallest skyscraper in the northern hemisphere. After a freak accident involving a lightning strike and a mysterious pet shop owner named Felix, Brand wakes up in a hospital coma while his consciousness is confined to a cat named Mr. Fuzzypants. To regain his human form, he must prove his devotion to his wife and daughter within one week, or remain a feline forever.
The production featured a notable ensemble, including Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Garner, and Christopher Walken. Despite this talent, the film was a critical disaster. Reviewers described the humor as inert and the plot as unoriginal, with some critics suggesting the experience was so painful it might turn animal lovers against cats. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a dismal 14 percent approval rating, while Metacritic assigned it a score of 11 out of 100, signaling overwhelming disapproval from the industry.
Financially, the film struggled to find its footing, grossing 57.8 million dollars worldwide against its 30 million dollar budget. It debuted in North America alongside major competition, opening in sixth place with only 6.2 million dollars during its initial weekend. The project was eventually released on home media, including an Australian version titled Mr. Fuzzypants.
The film's legacy took an unexpected turn during a 2026 interview on a podcast hosted by Bill Maher. Kevin Spacey, reflecting on his professional history, addressed the project with self-deprecating humor. He acknowledged that at the time, he was a highly bankable actor who accepted the role solely for financial gain. When asked about the film's quality, he simply noted that sometimes an actor makes a project like this, confirming it was a calculated career move rather than a creative passion.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Nine Lives (2016 film)
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