Bill Hader, America Ferrera talk new ‘Cat in the Hat’ movie

The actor says the adventure expands beyond the original children's book

LOS ANGELES -- "The Cat in the Hat" is back for a new adventure, with Bill Hader voicing the classic Dr. Seuss character in a story that takes the mischievous cat into a new world.

Dr. Seuss introduced children to "The Cat in the Hat" in 1957. The story remains one of the best-selling children's books of all time, and Mike Myers played the title character in a 2003 movie.

The new movie follows the Cat in the Hat as he invites himself into the new home of a single mother and her two children. The adventure takes them into another world filled with wonder, energy and a little danger.

"It's genuinely incredibly funny and very moving and, and really honest, you know? There's something to connect to," Hader said.

Alessandro Carloni said the filmmakers used the original book as the starting point for the new story.

"The main thing we decided was, let's use the book as the first three minutes of the movie. And then the question for us was where does this crazy, home-invading lunatic go? And the answer was we decided to follow him, to discover that to engage with kids bored on a rainy day is actually his job," Carloni said.

America Ferrera said she was surprised by how the movie incorporated elements of the original book while expanding its visual world.

"It was such a wonderful surprise to see the elements of the actual book, like, brought into the movie. But then the animation sort of changed depending on what world you are in. And so it's just delightful," Ferrera said.

Quinta Brunson said the opportunity to join the world of Dr. Seuss with a different take on the story appealed to her.

"I love that there's a different spin or take because that feels like a challenge. And the opportunity to join, like, the Seuss world and be part of a new re-telling of their story felt good," Brunson said.

While the movie is inspired by a children's book, it also includes humor aimed at adults.

The movie also includes a Taylor Swift song performed by the USC marching band, something Hader joked might have perks for him in the future.

"I would like a nice table at this restaurant. I was in a movie where there's a Taylor Swift song played the USC marching band. I was a cat in a balloon. So, figure it out! I'd like something by the window," Hader said.