I know a lot of people are worried about The Dark Knight Rises for various reasons. One of the reasons seems to be Tom Hardy’s mouthpiece thing, and how it seems like the audience might not be able to understand a damn thing he says. But most of the angst and worry is focused on poor Anne Hathaway and whether or not she’ll be able to pull off the Catwoman/Selena Kyle role. Honestly, though, I’m looking forward to it. I think she’ll be great. I think her Catwoman will probably be angrier and more damaged than the “kittenish” (ha), vampy Catwoman portrayals we’re used to. The Dark Knight Rises comes out July 18 – which feels like a long way away, especially considering that Prometheus and Snow White and the Huntsman are being released in early June (Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!). But Christopher Nolan is so good at releasing bits and pieces of his films to whet the audience’s appetite. So Catwoman and Batman take the cover of the new issue of EW, and here are some interview excerpts:
Christopher Nolan on Bane: Bane is played by Inception alum Tom Hardy. Bane is a cunning, hulking terrorist with a menacing respirator-mask and a small army bent on sacking Gotham City. “He represents formidable physical strength, combined with absolute evil of intention,” says Nolan.
Nolan on Bane’s mouthpiece thing: Hardy’s Bane has another defining characteristic that perhaps you’ve heard about, or perhaps have heard and didn’t understand: a curiously accented voice that’s further muffled by the rogue’s high-tech muzzle. “It’s a risk, because we could be laughed at — or it could be very fresh and exciting,” says Hardy, adding that the voice he developed was influenced by many factors, including a desire to honor the comic book character’s brains and Caribbean heritage. “The audience mustn’t be too concerned about the mumbly voice,” says Hardy. “As the film progresses, I think you’ll be able to tune to its setting.”
Nolan on Catwoman: Nolan’s take on the character is no campy sexpot or frazzled ghoul but a shifty cipher, calloused survivor, and world-class criminal. Says Nolan, “She has a very strong way of protecting herself and those she cares about, which implies an underlying darkness.” Hathaway says she prepared for the role by reading the comics and studying the moves of Hedy Lamarr and Jean Harlow, the two screen legends that inspired the original conception of the comic book villainess.
Anne Hathaway on her transformation: The actress also found herself a trainer. “I had to physically transform,” says Hathaway, calling from London, where she’s currently shooting Les Misérables with Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. “Chris sat me down at the beginning and said, ‘Joseph Gordon-Levitt did all of his own fighting in Inception. That one zero-gravity fight? He trained for two months.’ I basically left his office and went to the gym and just came out about five minutes ago.”
[From Entertainment Weekly]
OK, I’ll admit it – that got me a little excited. I’m so bad with anticipation though. When I find myself interesting in something, I go crazy if I can’t have it right now. I’m currently being driven crazy because I can’t see Prometheus RIGHT NOW, so I’ll have to wait to anticipate The Dark Knight Rises until… oh, mid-June. I’ll pencil it now.
Photos courtesy of Entertainment Weekly, Empire.
I’m super excited about the movie, but Katie Holmes, Maggie Gyllenhaal and now Anne Hathaway? Chris Nolan is really going out of his way to be the “anti-Michael Bay” when it comes to casting totally sexless actresses in his comic book movies, isn’t he?
Even with the black catsuit and hooker boots AH is totally “meh”. Now Michelle Pfeiffer on the other hand…
that is a good point. not a maggie gyllenhaal fan – never understood that. I think anne h. can play the slightly geeky/’underdog’ (ha) version well tho’ like in devil wears prada. It’s true re: hiring an actress who can really ‘meow.’
“the anti Michael Bay” Classic!
lmao ‘sexless’ you are soooo right. Im not excited for her ugh *eye-roll
Yeah she’s going to ruin it.
he casts the women he does because these films are never about the woman. The fanboys get hot and bothered by the action and the men..not the women. So he can cast anyone. Doesn’t matter. she won’t have a meaty role or there won’t be much character development. Which is why it was easy to swap Katie and Maggie. Nobody cared.
Ann is attractive but not sexy to me. But Catwoman is not going to be a real balance to Batman in this film I’m pretty sure.
It is all about the men with Nolan
Some faces just don’t look good in masks and Hathaway’s is one.
Expectations are so low for her as Catwoman that even if she does a mediocre job, it’ll be perceived as a triumph.
I was thinking the exact same thing – that mask is super unflattering on her.
I just don’t think she’s right for the part – not athletic, not overly sexy, not-cat-like in any way!
If that’s her costume then it’s going to be quite a ‘Clark Kent’ situation.
“Hmmm, Catwoman…it’s so strange you have the exact same hairstyle, skin tone, body shape, and facial structures as another woman I know…oh well, I’ll find your secret identity yet!”
Reaaaal practical Nolan.
Oh, you’re cracking me up today 😀 .
I remember that when I was a little girl and watched (the original) Superman movie I thought: “Why can’t people see they’re the same person?!!!? They look the exact freaking same!”.
Lol, thanks Eve!
anne’s a pretty girl and talented, but she’s got this weak chin that wasn’t meant for masks. A weak chin ain’t a bad thing, it’s not a bad thing on her, but it just makes her look mousey with the mask when she’s suppossed to look sexy.
She looks like Liv Tyler.
Concur!
Meh…have tried to watch Batman Begins (just for Cillian Murphy) but got bored to tears. And when Bale opened his mouth and spoke with his “Batman voice” I laughed out loud.
I also think Christopher Nolan is incredibly overrated.
Bale’s voice was altered to sound that way in post. Weird decision.
Weird decision indeed. Because instead of sounding deep and menacing, that tone + Christian Bale’s natural lisp made it sound ridiculous.
I swear I laughed whenever he showed up as Batman (not saying this here to sound cool or provoking). Especially that scene where Oldman’s character is taking out the garbage and he’s waiting for him (cape blowing in the wind) at the staircase — or tree branch, can’t remember exactly which.
I think she pulled it off even if for me catwoman will always be Eartha Kitt.
She was always so feline to begin with : flexible classical dancer body , perfect cat like face and eyes and even cat like voice.
OK, based on your reasoning, you’re right — Eartha was a better catwoman…
but Newmar was just so hot! God, her body was amazing. I look like that in my dreams.
Oh, my God! You are so right. I’ve never seen Julie Newmar as Catwoman, but the pics are incredible. She was absolutely HOT in the catsuit. And her ears and mask – kind of, like, exactly what AH is wearing. Maybe that is how every catwoman suit looks, sorry for not knowing, but Newmar looks like a prefect facsimile of AH character (costume, makeup, mask and ears combined).
And yeah, I would love to have that insane figure too. Anne may have the shape, but all the sexappeal is sorely missing. She comes across as very cold, distant, and casting her as a sex symbol is simply laughable!
I can’t wait for this movie, I loved the first two, and am expecting that Nolan & Co. won’t disappoint for their third and final round.
I don’t know about Anne as Catwoman, but I think she’s a good actress. I came away from Inception seeing JGL in a new way, maybe it will happen here too.
what a terrible casting choice.
cat woman has to possess SOME sex appeal. anne trying to be sexy just makes me uncomfortable.
This!
i totally agree. like i want to cover her up because she shouldn’t be exposing herself this way and makes me uncomfortable. haha
But why high heels? I mean, Nolan is all about a “realistic” portait of superheroes, and he gives Catwoman such an unpratical suit (identical to Black Widow one’s, too)!
For me, Catwoman will always be Michelle Pfeiffer – so feline and really lunatic/crazy. Anne is a good actress, though, maybe she can pull it off.
Oh yes, Michelle made a great catwoman: insane and beautiful at the same time.
*pushes nerd glasses up nose*
Her costume is not identical to black widows, although similar. Must female hero/villians look the same in terms of their costume. It looks more like Molotov c*cktease from venture brothers to me haha!
Michelle Pfeiffer will ALWAYS be my favourite Catwoman too.
The 3 inch heels are not going to be helpful pulling off crime Catwoman. She looks hot though.
She looks great
I’m willing to hold my judgement until after I see the movie. Although I’m not feelin the EW cover, kind of looks like Anne’s sporting a ‘stache.. Or maybe I just need to clean my screen..
The nice thing about Scarecrow and Joker’s costumes in BB and TDK is they seemed more incidental than actual villain costumes. Even the batman ensemble is utilitarian. Anne Hathaway seriously looks like a sorority girl at a wannabe fetish party.
Absolutely spot on!
I love Catwoman/Selina Kyle, but I wish Nolan would have done a lesser know villain like he did with Scarecrow. He should have done Roman Sionis/Black Mask as the villain.
What ass?? That looks like thigh with a small bump? I hope the movie is good though.
Ha!
Yeah…
I wouldn’t have cared so much if they hadn’t put her in the classic, “Look at my fabulous rear-end” pose and…uh…there’s nothing there.
Disappointed that she’s wearing high heels.
I thought we could count on Nolan to think it was more important to dress an action heroine in flats that allow her to run/fight/climb realistically than to put her in massive heels that ensure her ass sticks out when she walks. Oh well.
Then again, now that I think about it – Nolan’s whole thing is that his Batman movies are “realistic”, right?
I guess there’s nothing more realistic than confirming, yet again, that the need for actresses to display maximum sex appeal at all times, whether or not it makes sense to the plot, trumps all other concerns.
Bingo.
Realistic if you see a woman do several flips and land o a pair of..4 inch heels you’d better have an ambulance nearby for her shattered ankles.
LOL!
When Michelle P played Catwoman she also had the heels. There is a scene where Catwoman does a series of back flips and if you lokk closely you can see that she starts in heels–then it switches to flats–then back to heels. We obv are not supposed to notice that as viewers. But it makes you wonder..if the actors (or stand ins) can’t DO the stunts in hells–why have them as part of a costume for a character that is supposed to be able to DO all these stunts?
i can run in stilettos…although i’ve never tried to kick someone’s ass in them. i guess if i had to, i probably could. LOL
I like Anne Hathaway in some other movies, but this is horrible. So many other actresses would have been better, Amber Heard, Eva Green, Charlize Theron, Milla Jojovich, and obviously Angelina Jolie (even though she’d probably never take it).
I just don’t get it.
OMG… I just pictured Charlize Theron as a catwoman… That would have been the cast of the year…sadly not.
I’m with you, Dahl — she would’ve been perfect. Totally missed the mark with this one. 🙁
Selena is possibly the coolest chick in comics. Why did this happen? Anne’s a rom-commer!
“Are you happy ear-nerds?”
No, but in general I sense this movie isn’t going to do that character any favors. I think she’ll come off more wooden and bland than intriguing.
It doesn’t help that what Nolan is using to describe his version is what she was in the modern comics all along.
And Anne’s costume looks silly. From the mask, to the ears, to the heels…female characters so get screwed in these types of films.
I’m Team Michelle Pfeiffer but I was also not happy when Lodger got cast as the Joker and we all know the great work her did. BUt it’s Hathaway we’re talking about and those heels tend in the wrong direction… We’ll see :/
I cringed.
People said Heath was a bad choice for the Joker, and he did a pretty darn good job of it. Anne seems like she would probably work ridiculously hard to do well, and while she’ll never be Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman (just as Heath was not Jack Nicholson’s Joker) I think she’ll do it justice.
Bad Comparison! Health was never supposed to be sexy as Joker. I think even Health would have make a sexier Catwoman than Anne.
Rachel Weisz was auditioned as well and she is a better actress and sexier compared to Ann.
i love anne, but she is just not sexy. still very excited about this movie, though!!
this costume is quite silly – screams “i’m dressing up for a costume party”, and not “catwoman”.
Many are saying how silly Catwoman’s costume is, but what struck me on this cover is how kinda silly Batman’s costume is as well. Maybe its the lighting, you dont see it this way in the films… I snickered at the whole photo… it looks cheesy.
PS Christian Bale has really won me over as Batman…and this is coming from a die-hard “Michael Keaton as Batman” fan.
I was just thinking that! I don’t remember it being such a battle between the hard mold rubber and mesh, and of course the little cod-piece.
Bat nipples its not but still, lol.
What is it with mesh in ALL super-hero costumes??? Spiderman, Superman, Batman and now Catwoman.
Holy terrible tailor Batman!
If Nolan is all about being realistic and practical, why heels, hair down and mask that doesn’t hide her face then?
I still think that Eva Green should have played catwoman.
While I’m not a fan of Anne as Catwoman, or a fan of the halloween-‘hoe costume; I think if you’re going to keep Anne as Catwoman, you need something to up her sex-appeal. The thigh-high heels & sex-kitten hair are just the fastest way to establish that she’s “hot”.
Too bad that in her case they oveshoot the mark by a mile, looking more like props pinned on a dressform.
Smfh Anne H. as catwoman she looks like she going to a dorm party. Yes she’s a good actress but she has the sex appeal of wet towel.
When i heard Daniel Craig had been cast as Bond. I like everyone else lost it. i was so pissed like who is this rugged short man that’s gonna play Bond. Words cannot explain my indignation. I remember he assured people to wait to see the movie and then give their judgement. I was like yeah whatever you are gonna suck. But when i saw Casion Royale. Of course i ahd to take everything back. He’s my fav bond ever. So i learnt not to be too rash and rush to judgement.
With Anne ill wait to see the movie. expectations are low (mine included) but you may never know she could blow us all away.
Bleh. I’ll watch it just for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. LOVE me some JGL. And in a cop uniform!? UNF. 😀
It reminds me of Scarlett’s costume for the avengers.
anne hathaway as catwoman was a poor casting choice. she is one of the least sexy actresses in hollywood. my favorite catwoman will always be michelle pfeiffer who not only looked unbelievable in her costume but played catwoman as a dangerous and insane sex pot to the hilt.
I simply do not see Anne Hathaway as “sexy”. Frankly, I do not even see Anne Hathaway as “attractive”.
Stick that costume on Eva Green, and you’ve got sexy.
Am I the only person who did not think Heath was good in TDK? I hated the movie, hated the role he played.
Over rated drivel.
yeh he was overrated. The whole film was.
I think the Nolan batman films are really boring and I hate the voice Christian Bale puts on. I actually fell asleep when I tried to watch The Dark Knight.
This might be really lame of me but I prefer the older camp Batman films. Michelle Pfeiffer and Arnie as Mr Freeze!
Inception was incredibly overrated too. The only good thing Christopher Nolan has done is Memento
Totally agree with you — well, except the part about Mr. Freeze (didn’t like Batman & Robin). Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns are still my favourite movies, they made me care about a character that had never made me interested in the firs place.
But if Nolan takes a dump on a plate, some of his stone cold fans may actually eat it — I swear it’s annoying how Nolan fans invade the threads about other movies to claim that nothing compares to The Dark Knight and that it’s a “classic”. Especially infuriating was seeing people putting it ABOVE The Godfather on IMDb’s list of the best 250 movies ever made.
‘if Nolan takes a dump on a plate, some of his stone cold fans may actually eat it’
:D. unfortunately true! just saw the dark night has 8.9 on imdb. WTF
And don’t you dare to say that it isn’t the best super hero movie ever made, because they’ll rip you to shreads.
Right now, there are fans posting on Collider that The Avengers movie is going to be “popcorn fun” and the “best Marvel movie made so far” BUT not in the “amazing level” of The Dark Knight (I sh*t you not) and not as “serious”. It’s like they’re already angry that The Avengers may end up becoming more popular (or makes more money) than Nolan’s movies.
P.S.: I think The Godfather went back to a higher position on that list, but still…TDK tops a plethora of fantastic films (because of the craziness that it’s the hype for this movie).
@Eve – I agree. Fan boys for Nolan are intense.
Frankly, I don’t enjoy his Batman movies (but I have come to like Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne). Don’t get me started on Inception (aka Deception that I was going to see an epic movie). Memento was ground-breaking (plus Guy Pierce = great), but I think Nolan is over-hyped.
Also agree that Batman and Batman Returns are still my favorite. Michael Keaton brought some real complexity to that character… plus great one liners in those movies… like “Would you look at the mirror, he should be called Bruce Vain”
@ Mia Girl:
Michael Keaton remains the best Batman ever, in my opinion. And his “Batman voice” wasn’t laughable.
Also, that black make-up — you know, to have that effect of showing the white of his eyes like it is in the comics/cartoons — was a way better in Burton’s films.
*Couldn’t edit my comment anymore.
I’m looking forward to see what Anne Hathaway does with the role. It depends on expectations whether you will be disappointed; if you’re wanting the sexpot Catwoman who just purrs and slinks around in her tight suit, you’ll probably be disappointed, I think. Hopefully, Anne turns Catwoman into an actual character who has memorable dialogue versus a joke of a stupid, sex-crazed, um, cat.
I’m sorry, but I just don’t think anyone can beat Michelle pfieffer’s catwoman. She was the best so far.
Completely agree. No one that played Catwoman before, since or ever will top Pfeiffer’s version. I dig Anne Hathaway, however. A talented, lovely actress and one of the few actresses I actually like and respect as a person. It’ll be interesting to see how she plays that role.
Well, her figure is nice but hopefully her acting is about thousand times better than it was in Alice in Wonderland… or the movie will be torment.
you know at first i was dubious about miss anne adorable princess omg hathaway’s casting. but from what i’ve seen in the trailer i think she’ll kick butt. she’s a talented actress who is also a great singer. love her or hate her but you’ve got to hand it to her she’s got it all. and is also really pretty. and i don’t even particularly like her. (i’m neutral)
I just don’t see the appeal of these superhero flicks. What are we, a nation of six year olds?
In a word, yes.
Eva Green should have gotten the Catwoman role. I hate this choice I won’t be able to think anything other than’ its anne hathaway’ I mean it’s like casting Jolie for wonderwoman – it just won’t work.
What was the deal with AH’s bizarre performance in Alice in Wonderland? Did the director force her to affect that “royal” posture? I think she really missed the point. That being said, I’m willing to give her another shot. She bugs me though-people say I look like her, and I can’t take it as a compliment.
I’m envious of her body in that second pic, she’s in great shape, but still don’t even get a whiff of sexy from her. No pheromones at all 🙁 poor unsexy Anne
Uh, is it just me, or does her costume look just like Batman’s? Michelle Pfeiffer’s was funky evil.
Michelle Pfeiffer owned that role! She was amazing. I hope Anne can find her dark side too.
Casting her was a major miscalculation, performance-wise. Box-office-wise it may pay off.
Hathaway looks OK on the suit but she’s too bland to be Catwoman. Though she can be a pretty good actress on occasion, she simply does not possess the sort of raw sexuality and power the role requires.
Or maybe I’m just being hard on her because I don’t like her in the first place. Too narcissistic for my taste.
Now my opinion on Nolan. I enjoy some of his non-Batman films and I even think he’s a good director. What I don’t understand is why some people treat him as if he was the second coming of Kubrick or something. Fanboys, get real.
His films are not much superior to your average superhero movie. They’re just neatly wrapped in a way more pretentious package. And his – OMG SO AMAZING – scripts are not all that clever. They’re just confusing as hell and have a lot of plot holes. Sometimes I think that making everything messy is his own way of looking like Mr. Genius Writer. I’m not making any sense, haha.
What I don’t understand is why some people treat him as if he was the second coming of Kubrick or something. Fanboys, get real.
Right? I’m telling you: it is f*cking annoying. He’s not a genius at all. He’s not even that creative (Inception copies a lot of other films — I wanted to sue him while I was watching it).
His films are not much superior to your average superhero movie. They’re just neatly wrapped in a way more pretentious package. And his – OMG SO AMAZING – scripts are not all that clever. They’re just confusing as hell and have a lot of plot holes. Sometimes I think that making everything messy is his own way of looking like Mr. Genius Writer. I’m not making any sense, haha.
No, you make a lot of sense. But if you try to say that to a Nolan fan, you better be ready to run for your life.