Last week we got our very first look at actress Anne Hathaway in costume as Catwoman as she will appear in the upcoming sequel film Batman: The Dark Knight Rises and since then … there has been a lot of talk about that first look. By and large, the reaction from fans has been negative, to say the least. Anne herself is aware of the backlash and she addressed it in a new interview with MTV. While promoting her next film, One Day, Anne was asked about the Catwoman thing and, well, click below to hear what she had to say.
It was the photo that launched a thousand blog posts, tweets and message-board debates. Last week, the Web was ablaze when Warner Bros. released the first photo of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle in “The Dark Knight Rises.” MTV News was immediately on the case, offering up our own analysis, as well as thoughts from a few experts on what the photo of Hathaway in costume, riding what looked to be Batman’s motorcycle, meant for the character and her assumed transformation into Catwoman. Now, in knowing how tight-lipped the “Dark Knight Rises” stars are sworn to be about the films, when we caught up with Hathaway as she promoted the upcoming movie “One Day,” we didn’t expect her to offer any commentary about the photo — but she surprised us. “I was not going to admit it: I asked someone to send me a few reactions [to the photo],” she said. “And I happen to know that MTV’s reaction was ‘meh.’ ” Now, we’re not sure about the “meh” quote, but we will admit to using the phrases “cautiously optimistic,” “unflattering” and “underwhelming” in our analysis. Regardless, Hathaway said that no matter the first impressions, there is a lot more happening with that suit. “What I am happy to say is, if you didn’t like the photo, you only see about a 10th of what that suit can do,” she promised. “And if you did like the photo, you have excellent taste.”
LOL. You know what … good for her. While I must admit that I am not impressed yet with Anne‘s casting as the sexy Selina Kyle/Catwoman, I can appreciate that she has an amazing attitude about the criticism leveled against her. I am not at all surprised that she has responded with a good-natured tone. I remain unconvinced tho. She says that we have “only [seen] about a 10th of what that suit can do” but, duh, that’s because we’ve only seen a static photo. So far, we know that the costume covers her nakedness … and that’s about it. At some point, I’m hoping we’ll see something more impressive. Until that time, tho, I’m reserving judgment … like a mofo. Still … I love how Anne has responded. To me, she may not (yet) be a Catwoman but she deffo is an intelligent and nice woman.
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I just dont see her in that part. Good pic or bad pic. I am having a hard time seeing her as catwoman. But perhaps she will pull it off with no problem. I guess we will find out.
@Dennis — I’m with you. She may surprise but … I remain skeptical.
I remember saying the same thing about Heath Ledger when he was cast as Joker.
I totally agree Trent!! What a great response. I think if she said nothing it would have been much worse for her standing at Catwoman.
@Mr. Gyllenhaal: I agree. She’s a class act.
I think she will suprise as catwoman, she has proved she can act and I’m glad it was here and no another ‘wannabe’ actress taking over the role. For me Michelle Pfeiffer is the best catwoman so far and nobody expected big from her. Contrary to Hale Berry who endeup sucking on the role. My only issue with this recent pic are those googles that don’t have any feline look.
@loggan — My worry is that you can’t “act” sexy. Either you are or you aren’t. Therein lies the concern for me.
I still think Eartha Kitt was the best Catwoman.
@LV — I agree 1000% ! Hands down, Eartha was the best Catwoman. Effortlessly strong, intelligent and sexy. She was Catwoman.
I really don’t get how so many people’s primary concern is whether or not Anne is sexy. If it’s a case of whether or not she can be sexy, then they should have just cast Megan Fox or some other starlet to play Catwoman. Every actor and director deserves the right to re-interpret a character. If she came out all leather and stitches like Michelle Pfeiffer, the internet would be freak out and call it a cop-out.
Personally, I’m just missing the cat ears.
Have you SEEN “Love, Sex, and Other Drugs?” She’s got sexy going on, she just hasn’t fully unleashed it yet :).
@Jennifer Verde — Yes, I saw LSOD and no, I did not find her sexy. I thought she did a great job with part but sexy? No.
I was skeptical of Chris Evans as Captain America and I was more than impressed with the movie. So, I’ll save my thoughts on Anne until I see the movie.
Good on Anne for being loads more classy than her detractors.
I still think Anne would make a great Catwoman…if it was the funny, campy, Batman of the 60′s when Catwoman was interchangeably white or Eartha Kitt.
I think she’s a talented actress. Can she do dark? Not really sure. Even after people talked about her range in Rachel Getting Married I only found her performance to be average and that’s mostly because I couldn’t stand her character. If you’ve seen her in Havoc or Get Smart…She can look sexy and be confidant that she looks sexy, but she just can’t pull off sexy…at least not Cat woman sexy.
That being said, I love Anne Hathaway and I hope she proves me wrong. Truth be told I’ve never understood the female lead casting decisions. Katie Holmes, Maggie Gyllenhaal? This is the first time I’m understanding the casting at least a little. The Dark Night brought a shockingly great performance from the late Heath Ledger, so I’m excited to see what the “Dark Night” world brings out of Hathaway.
I find it really stupid with all due respect the way 90% of the complaints coming seems to be that she isn’t “sexy” enough. It’s Christopher Nolan, believe me, the character is going to have waaay more facets than just being sexy, and I think that’s where Anne Hathaway will shine, hence why she got casted. If it was primarily gonna be sexiness, you really think she’d have been cast? I love her, but there are more sexy women in Hollywood, but the fact that she got the role over them shows that there’s obviously gonna be more to the character than how tight the suit is and all that petty, pointless rubbish.
And to the blogger, did you read your own post when the first pic was released? That’s NOT reserving judgement.
@Bryan — Sorry but Catwoman is sexy by nature … THAT IS THE CHARACTER. If people feel that Anne isn’t measuring up, it’s a valid criticism OF THE CHARACTER. A non-sexy, strong and powerful Catwoman would be akin to a non-clown, totally sane Joker. Also, I am reserving judgment but I am being very free with my initial response to this very early first look. The reason this photo was released was to gauge responses.
And Batman was only “dark” by nature when Frank Miller showed up. In fact, Catwoman was running around in a dress and a giant cat head in the beginning.
And I love that people are concerned she isn’t measuring up from a still of her on a motorcycle. Does she even wear the suit for more than 5 minutes in the film? Is it at the end? Is it at the beginning?
Catwoman is a vamp, but she’s also intelligent, resourceful, and daring. I see that there. and sexy is up to interpretation. But I would rather have those 3/4 instead of 1/4. No one needs another “Batman & Robin” interpretation of Batgirl.
Two words: Julie Newmar.
That’s all.
LEE MERIWETHER, all the way!
I think she’s gonna rock it. She’s an awesome actress and that’s what they role needs, not someone playing Catwoman, but someone becoming Catwoman. I think that’s why the best Catwoman so far for me has been Michele Pheiffer. She did an incredible job.
they just started filming The Dark Knight’s Shiny Friend featuring John Cryer as Robin
I have faith. A) Because I appreciate her as an actress. I think she is very talented. I can definitely see where people are coming from saying she isn’t sexy. Well, I think she is beautiful and well, sexy. But her personality doesn’t strike me as someone who acts sexy.
but also B) Christopher Nolan is a smart one and I also have faith in him.
I always knew we wouldn’t be seeing a bondage/S&M outfit with Anne’s tits hanging out. I did expect a little more latex and leather, but it could lead to that her outfit may change throughout the movie.
The other thing to take into consideration is the theme Nolan has created with the Batman franchise. He hasn’t created Superhero films. Comic books films, somewhat, it is based on a comic book character. Then again Batman isn’t a superhero in a sense. But I never expected the over the top outfits, we haven’t seen that with any villains or characters yet in the 2 films he has directed. It doesn’t make sense to create a realistic Crime/Action franchise like he has and then introduce a character who wears impossible outfits and fights off the police and pulls massive heists.
Lets just see where this goes and IF they don’t release or give away much more relating to Catwoman’s storyline, then reserve our opinion for the the final piece itself, the film!!!!
I hate the casting choice and I hate the costume. I generally liked “Begins” and “Knight” but I am thus far disappointed with the prospects of this film. No one cares about “Bane” I would have rather had the Riddler or The Penguin and Anne seems like a sweet girl but this is not the role for her. Natalee Portman, Scarlet Johanssen, Zoe Saldana, Angelina Jolie, etc. would have all been better choices. Nobody wants a dopey, sappy, girl next door Catwoman. Period. I understand he’s going for realism but Batman is a Comic Book Character and people don’t want a watered down version of any character. That Chick in that costume is not Catwoman, its just a lady cat-burglar. What a waste. I’ll take Eartha Kitt or Michelle Phifer anyday. You can only depart so far away from the source before you start effing things up.
Still… when I see that first photo of Anne, all I can think is “not quite a Batgirl, not yet a Catwoman”.
To those of you who think Anne Hathaway can’t be/isn’t sexy, go watch Love and Other Drugs and tell me she isn’t fantastic AND sexy!
She’s a great actress, she has the lean and toned build, and a great body for the catsuit. (ex.1,2,3,4)
I’m not super thrilled about the design of the goggles, but otherwise she looks like Catwoman.
The suit is fine she just needs some GD cat ears. You can’t be a cat without cat ears! At Halloween, you’re not a cat without cat ears. And in Batman, you’re not a cat without cat ears!
i kinda feel since the initial reactions have been so negative it’ll be hard to change critics minds… i dont see some famous critics talking shit about it now and then be like “oh, i was wrong, the she is great”. not happening.
they should have tried to keep the filming quiet
@gayana — Well I’m not a famous critic or anything but I vow to reverse my concerns when and if I see that Anne can pull off the role. We shall see.