Catwoman / Selina Kyle thread

[Timstuff]

OK, there hasn't really been any talk from people connected to the project that she'll be in the movie, but since this is a new forum, I figured we could use a thread to discuss the possibility of Catwoman / Selina Kyle being in the movie.

Personally, I think she should be played by Kate Beckinsale, wearing the Catwoman costume that was seen in Hush. I've come up with what I think is a pretty good background story for her. I think her origin should sort of rhyme with Batman's, but not repeat it.

Selina would have had a very tough childhood. She grew up in a crappy part of Gotham, her dad ran off when she was a kid, her Mom died, and she has a kid sister who she was struggling to support, even though she herself was still a minor. She did confide in a good friend of hers though; and elderly woman who lived next door, who took care of stray cats. Often times, Selina and her sister would go over and feed the cats with her.

Selina had great skill in learning gymnastics, and in desperation to support her sister and herself, she began to employ these skills as a theif. One night though, she stole from the wrong man: Carmine Falcone. Selina managed to escape from Falcone and his thugs, but she was far from safe.

Falcone knew who she was, because he was, in fact, her real biological father. He sent his thugs to her home, where they proceeded to trash the place and tormented Selina's sister. Poor Selina looses custody of her Sister, and is ordered by the CPS not to see her during her psychological therapy.

Selina decides to use the money she got from theiving to travel to Europe, where she hones her skills and becomes a master theif. She also learns martial arts so she can better defend herself. She returns to Gotham as a wealthy socialite, and at night she is "Catwoman" a persona she created because she identified herself with her friend's stray cats. Her mission is to put an end to poverty in Gotham, so that people won't be forced to steal to survive, like she once had to.

Discuss.

[ultimatefan]

I guess they´re going to avoid that now because of CINO... Leave it for the third movie, maybe. In any case... JOLIE DAMMIT!!

[SolidRoar]

They should treat her like they treated Batman after B&R to make her win the audience over again. They can start by introducing her character, Selina Kyle, in Batman 2 and only show her as Catwoman (if they want to) at the end of the film or in Batman 3.

Oh, and BECKINSALE DAMMIT!

[CConn]

I agree with the Lee Costume and Beckinsale ideas, though I really don't think, if Catwoman is ever introduced, an orgin will be needed or shown.

Originally Posted by SolidRoar

They should treat her like they treated Batman after B&R to make her win the audience over again. They can start by introducing her character, Selina Kyle, in Batman 2 and only show her as Catwoman (if they want to) at the end of the film or in Batman 3.

I agree 100%.

[batboyRETURNS]

I like Beckinsale alot for Catwoman.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by batboyRETURNS

I like Beckinsale alot for Catwoman.

I like Beckinsale a lot period...

[BatmanRules33]

Originally Posted by ultimatefan

I guess they´re going to avoid that now because of CINO... Leave it for the third movie, maybe. In any case... JOLIE DAMMIT!!

i agree except with jolie. no way, shes too over rated and big (you no where).

[BK]

I say leave her origin story very simple. The way it's planned out in the first post, it almost feels like it's her own movie if every one of those scenes are shown. 20 minutes, tops, of introducing her character is enough. Rough childhood, decides to take up thievary, always been a gymnast and fighter, rises up Gotham's ranks, blabla.

As for the suit, they can't really screw it up if they go for the Balent costume, or the one in Brubaker's series. She's a cat burglar after all, so she doesn't need ultra concealing stuff. Her skills as a burglar at night should be enough.

Actresses, my top 2 has always been Jolie and Theron. Any one of them could play the role to a T. Beckinsale...I'm on the gate with her. She's an ok actress, but I don't know if she could pull of the Catwoman side. Doesn't seem like the type to exude sexuality and flexible. She's more of the girly girl, or rich socialite type to me.

[Timstuff]

I fully agree that her origin shouldn't be fleshed out too much, because it would take too long and to show it all it'd need a movie of it's own. But what I wrote was a backstory, and Selina's gonna need a good one if they want the character to have depth. She could make some references to things that happened in her past so that we have some idea of where she came from and what her motives are. We don't need to have a full blown origin story though, because this is, after all, a BATMAN movie, so they shouldn't spend too much time on setting up a supporting character.

I also agree that actual appearances by Catwoman in film #2 should be kept to a minimum, because they should use Selina's presence to build up steam for number #3, where her role could be signifigantly expanded since she'd already be established from film #2. If they really want to do her relationship with Bruce/Batman justice, they should establish it in #2 and build on it in #3.

[BK]

Agreed. Heck, I think it would be cool if they mirrored BR's ending and have Catwoman show up in some shape or form in the catsuit.

She'll need a backstory, yes. But I think a rough explanation would be enough. I still don't like how she goes international to learn skills, mirrors Bruce too much. I'd rather have it be that she stays in her city and learn that way. She's not trying to become a master fighter, so I don't see the point.

[criticalcasting]

Originally Posted by CConn

I like Beckinsale a lot period...

If this was 1995, just after Hackers, and before Angelina Jolie came out into the mainstream of hollywood tabloids, I would've picked her for the newest Catwoman. But now she's "Lara Croft" and Mrs. Smith and Bradgelina and I'm starting to get sick. I remember interviews with her back in 1997 when she said she would be wary of how the media could f**k up her image. Well, they're on her case every minute of every day and I sympathize for her.

Beckinsale is my top choice at the moment, she's still sort of has that air of mystery about her, and hey why not she's British anyway, I kind of like this British-European-dominated cast. Those brits are damn good actors aren't they? The Brits are lucky they dont have a Sean William-Scott I'm ashamed we even do.

Plus, Bale and Beckinsale have worked together before (indie film, Laurel Canyon), and it was decent, nothing spectacular, but nothing horrible like "anakin, you're breaking my heart!"

My only requirement, please cast a WOMAN, a WOMAN, a 25-35 yr old who actually looks like her age. Not one of these actresses who still look like they could pass for college girls: Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, etc. Look, I'm sorry they started their careers in those family-friendly, and/or teenagerific tv shows. It hasn't helped. Scarlett Johansson, on the other hand, that girl's going places. (Ghost World rocked!)

[kpjoon]

Kate Beckinsale was ALWAYS my choice for a Catwoman ever since I saw Underworld. She has the look, the body, and the talent in my opinion. BUT! I disagree on having the Catwoman costume being based off the HUSH design. I mean, I'm a fan of the costume myself but seeing the goggles in live action seems a bit silly.
I want something original for a Catwoman costume...

The way I see it, have Selina Kyle in number two and a short glimpse of her as catwoman around the end and fully introduce Catwoman in the third.

[Timstuff]

Originally Posted by BK

Agreed. Heck, I think it would be cool if they mirrored BR's ending and have Catwoman show up in some shape or form in the catsuit.

That's actually a very cool idea. As long as it's just differetent enough that people won't see it as being a direct copy of BR, I'm all for it. It would be a very cool way to introduce the character and wet people's appetite for the sequel, kind of like how they had the Joker card at the end of Begins.

Originally Posted by criticalcasting

Beckinsale is my top choice at the moment, she's still sort of has that air of mystery about her, and hey why not she's British anyway, I kind of like this British-European-dominated cast. Those brits are damn good actors aren't they?

Yeah, I think Beckinsale would be a great actress for Catwoman, and she'd fit in very nicely with the very british cast and director. She's a very talented and beautiful actress, and she also has some experience with action, and has worked with bale before. She has a great mysteriouse cat-look to her as well. Just look at her on the Underwold 2 poster!



Granted, the movie looks pretty stupid, but that's hardly Beckinsale's fault.

[kpjoon]

I will watch anything with Beckinsale in it... even though it sucks.
Pearl Harbor anyone?

[Ceb-Man]

Kate Beckinsale as Catwoman....oh yeah!

The Ceb-Man!

[x_man]

Beckinsale all the way........

On to the costume.

I really like Jim Lee's Catwoman, but then i say THE BATMAN Catwoman and I really liked it. I liked the orange goggles a lot. I dunno but maybe it should be a mix of those two.

[Macphisto]

The problem with Beckinsale, though, is that while she looks sexy, she can't act sexy. More often that not, she comes across as too rigid and sounds like she's reading her lines from a teleprompter.

[BK]

^^ Yeah that was my thoughts on her too, but I said it in a less harsher way.

[Future Prez]

CINO ruins all chances we fans have of Batman had of seeing a beautiful vixen clad in tight black spandex, topped off with cat-like ears... now I have even more reason to hate that stupid CINO!!!!!!

[criticalcasting]

Originally Posted by Macphisto

The problem with Beckinsale, though, is that while she looks sexy, she can't act sexy. More often that not, she comes across as too rigid and sounds like she's reading her lines from a teleprompter.

I think you just have to watch Beckinsale's films OTHER than the big movies. You need to watch the smaller films she's done.

[Rizpower]

Originally Posted by criticalcasting

My only requirement, please cast a WOMAN, a WOMAN, a 25-35 yr old who actually looks like her age. Not one of these actresses who still look like they could pass for college girls: Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, etc. Look, I'm sorry they started their careers in those family-friendly, and/or teenagerific tv shows. It hasn't helped. Scarlett Johansson, on the other hand, that girl's going places. (Ghost World rocked!)

Your requirements are: I don't want to feel old when I go to the theater, so cast Catwoman MY age.

That's stupid. I don't think a 40 year old chick can be running along buildings and swinging on a whip. Bale is 30, Catwoman is 30 or under. And even then, that's besides the point. Cast whoever can actually ACT THE PART APPROPRIATELY.

[Macphisto]

Originally Posted by criticalcasting

I think you just have to watch Beckinsale's films OTHER than the big movies. You need to watch the smaller films she's done.

Just checked imdb. I've seen every single movie she's been in, be it leading role or cameo.

Edit: Thought I should add that I'm not some anti-Beckinsale obsessive who hunts down her latest release just to *****. lol. I've seen all her movies because it's my job to. I'm a film journalist and have been for the past six years. Anyway, not once have I seen a performance that screamed major catwoman contender. Sure she looks hot in leather, but that's where any comparison to the femme fatale ends.

[Timstuff]

She may not have had a role that "screams" Catwoman, but that's because she wasn't playing Catwoman in those roles. But as me and many others have been saying, there are many reasons why she is a good canidate for the role.

1. She looks like Selina from the comics
2. Has experience with action roles
3. Has worked with Christian Bale
4. She's got the talent to make the role work
5. She looks good in tight leather
6. Nolan likes working with brittish actors, and Beckinsale is brittish

[Macphisto]

Originally Posted by Timstuff

She may not have had a role that "screams" Catwoman, but that's because she wasn't playing Catwoman in those roles. But as me and many others have been saying, there are many reasons why she is a good canidate for the role.

1. She looks like Selina from the comics
2. Has experience with action roles
3. Has worked with Christian Bale
4. She's got the talent to make the role work
5. She looks good in tight leather
6. Nolan likes working with brittish actors, and Beckinsale is brittish

Ok, I can see your reasoning, but I mostly disagree.

1. Given how Selina's appearance has undergone countless changes through the years, so do a thousand other actresses.

2. agreed there.

3. Yes, and the basis of their relationship was that they lacked chemistry together. Which was very evident.

4. Like I said before: she looks sexy, but she can't act sexy. She'd make a great librarian.

5,6 I agree.

Of course this is just my opinion. Like yourself, many others, aside from BK, seem to think she'd be great.

[BK]

I'm curious, who are your top 3 choices for the role?