Scarlett Johansson, Benjamin Walker set for ‘Cat’ revival

Scarlett Johansson and Benjamin Walker are officially set to get all hot and bothered in the upcoming Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” The actors will play Maggie and Brick in a new production that is expected to open Jan. 17 at New York’s Richard Rodgers Theatre.

The revival, which begins previews in December, marks Johansson’s return to the stage following her Tony-winning performance in the 2010 Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge.”

Chris Pine reportedly had been in talks to play Brick before Walker was announced for the role this week.

“Cat” will be directed by Rob Ashford and will co-star Ciaran Hinds as Big Daddy. (Hinds recently appeared in the USA miniseries “Political Animals,” in which he seemed to be channeling some of Big Daddy in his role as a Clinton/LBJ-esque former president.) Debra Monk will play Big Mama.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play has been revived several times on Broadway, including a 2008 production starring Terrence Howard and Anika Noni Rose; a 2003 production with Jason Patric and Ashley Judd; and a 1990 production starring Kathleen Turner.

“Cat” debuted on Broadway in 1955 with Ben Gazzara and Barbara Bel Geddes in a production directed by Elia Kazan. The 1958 film version starred Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor.

Walker appeared in the musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” that opened at the Kirk Douglas Theatre before eventually playing at New York’s Public Theater and later on Broadway.

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