Thursday
Oct162008
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 6:19AM Batman Rumor #247 - Another Name Surfaces for Catwoman
Catwoman: Is she in or out?
Beyond that, we really have no idea. I tend to believe Batman co-writer David Goyer, in statements he made months ago, about the villains in the third movie. In essence, he said that there are a vast number of great bad guys in the annals of Gotham City, and to just do The Penguin and Catwoman. He never said they wouldn't be in the threequel, just that he disagreed that they needed to be used.
My vote is and always has been Black Mask, and since someone mentioned his name on a message board in July, my vote to play Black Mask has been Guy Pearce. You simply can't have a better villain, or a better choice for that role.
Now, if we're talking Catwoman, which is fair game, certainly, the name everybody mentions is Angelina Jolie (except for the strar forum fanatics who are under the misguided impression that Alyssa Milano can hold her own in this movie). Jolie is a damn good choice on a lot of levels, but I don't think that's going to happen. I really doubt Christopher Nolan wants superstars. That's just my instinct. And, like the Joker, he may want to take Catwoman in a completely new direction if he decides to use her.
Batman-On-Film, which has propagated a couple of these rumors before, say that Rhona Mitra is "in the mix" for Catwoman. Of course, they also caution that there's no script so there can't actually be a part in question. Dispensing with the usual discussion about how this is just a rumor, I do think the choice itself has some merit.
She can obviously convey a badass, and Batman-On-Film says it was her action-heavy performance in Doomsday that put her on the radar. Mitra is sexy and all the rest, too. She'd definitely fill the catsuit. Beyond the costume fittings, though, I'm a bit worried about her being blown off the screen by better actors. However, Catwoman can be a very vampy role, so whatever deficiencies she has there could be covered up to a degree simply by being cattier.
I still think, of the choices I've heard, Kate Beckinsale probably has the most promise, but Mitra's not bad. Of course, I'd prefer not to see Catwoman in the third movie, but that's just me.
Reader Comments (38)
Kate Beckinsale would be fantastic as the Catwoman.
She's alredy had all the practice with Selene and she would certainly bring more life and attitude to the film.
I think Heath Ledger's Joker stood out so well from the backdrop och the stony and frankly boring Wayne/Batman portrayed by Bale. Beckinsale would doubtless steal the new movie from Bale as Ledger stole the last one.
But she'd also be more expensive than Rhona Mitra and I guess all the major stars will want to up their stakes.
The big uncertainty is that Nolan could of course have anybody. We know that he favours British and Australian actors and that he doesn't mind reusing them. But Carrie-Anne Moss and Hilary Swank don't feel right.
But I keep hoping for Kate.
I can't agree with Jolie as Catwoman. Moving away from the fact that I believe she is highly overrated, and instead look at the fact that everyone expects her. I remember listening to Colin's show when they dropped news of Ledger, I can't remember anyone supporting it, no one thought they could replace Jack. I think Bale set the standard for casting for this series, actor known for strong roles smaller movies. Look at Eckhart and Ledger (Brokeback... not the other ones) The only big names on Betman before Batman was Caine and Freeman. If any rumor could be true you might get Hoffman as the Penguin, but doubtful. Guy Pierce is a contender then.
Nolan's movies Have all been about story and not names. I'm sure doesn't want and after Dark Knight definitely doesn't need the attention that a name like Jolie would bring in.
Well well well..
Could you just stop saying that Alyssa Milano cannot hold her own a movie like that? She's so underrated! Did you see her in Wisegal? I think she really did a great job..she's a powerfull,talented actress and she needs to get a role like that..
I agree wholeheartedly with the tabloid-friendly atmosphere Jolie would create. The first two films already had their share of that, with TomKat in round one and Ledger's death this year.
(I hope you recall, by the way, that I fully supported the choice of Heath Ledger, although I said topping Jack would be nearly impossible...)
Here's the deal on Angelina Jolie, though, and even if you can't stand her, these things are hard to knock: She is, without question, the best female action star going. She's believable kicking ass. Physically, she's ideal for the role. She's tall, curvy, has big boobs, and those lips jutting out of the Catwoman mask would seal the deal. She has sex appeal to burn, an important component, as well, as is her well-documented freakiness.
And even if she's "highly overrated," it's not like she's incompetent. You don't watch her in A Mighty Heart and think, "Hack," just as you don't watch her in Mr. and Mrs. Smith and say, "Judi Dench would've been better."
Is it the "expected" choice? Yeah, I'd have to say that it is. It's perfect, but it might be too perfect.
Again, as I stated in the article, I don't think they'll go with a "star" name for the role, and I have real doubts about Catwoman being in the movie, anyway. But the conversation about Jolie makes a lot of sense for nearly every other reason.
But having thought about it for another few hours...what about Zhang Ziyi from Crouching Tiger?
Although, I 'm sure that Nolan has nothing personal against Jolie, I would guess that he doesn't want her in his movie. Jolie never does roles, she turns up, pouts her lips, is Angelina for a while and then leaves. Such and actor would probably detyract more from Nolan's vision than it would add.
I also supported his choice of Ledger immediately even if it was considered an odd choice.I had had my eye on Ledger and his ability to act with his nerves on the outside for quite some time and I was sure that he would steal Johnny Depp's crown one day.
I think Nolan will want to maintain creative control and make the casting decision. After all it was his recipe that made The Dark Knight so successful so why would the studio hamper him?
Rhona Mitra simply doesn't have the acting skills to appeal to Nolan, I think. I hope he will make some unexpected casting choices.
Don't forget he was the first to cast nice guy Robin Williams as an antagonist in Insomnia and he also kept him hidden for a large portion of the film. A brilliant choice.
I don't understand this rage against Alyssa Milano... what has she done to you?
To me it seems like Alyssa is not missing anything, both like a woman and like an actress, and most of all i think Alyssa has nothing to envy from Angelina "homewrecker" Jolie.
Stop once for all to give too much relevance to these stupid actresses who became famous thanks to a miracle and begin to appreciate actresses with respectful careers, who don't sell pics of the adopted baby to the best buyer.
Alyssa could be a great Catwoman if she could have the chance, but considering in the world there are some stupid like you who always take the easier way, it's better to choose Jolie considering she's on every gossip magazine .
Lengthy...she was not even close to "Angelina" in A Mighty Heart. Nor does she look that part inThe Changeling. However...the "Angelina" character is pretty much Catwoman, so...
But I agree that Rhona Mitra isn't master class material, which is probably a strike against her.
Also, I have no rage against Alyssa Milano; she would just be the obvious weak link in a Batman movie. Sparring with Holly-Marie Combs and Rose McGowan and trying to go toe-to-toe with Christian Bale and Gary Oldman are entirely different universes. I'll tell you, she and Elisha Cuthbert got the most support for Catwoman when we opened the discussion back in July, but let's examine the cast members around them and see how well that would work out. I think there's a reason her last two theatrical releases are Pathology and Dickie Roberts and not Shakespeare or David Mamet movies.
And you can be a fan of hers all you want, but know her limitations. Be reasonable. I love Cheap Trick but they'll never be in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.
Well, Kate Beckinsale is still the best choice. Selena was basically Catwoman with fangs ... well, without whiskers, then.