Catwoman is a fictional character first appearing in issue 1 of the Batman comic book. After her debut she would appear in many forms of media including live-action and animated film, radio, live-action and animated television, records, video games, web series, live performance, and podcasts. The character has made live-action appearances in the Batman television series (1966–68), its film adaptation Batman (1966), Batman Returns (1992), Catwoman (2004),The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Gotham (2014–19), and The Batman (2022). The character has also appeared in numerous animated television series and movies, most notably Batman: The Animated Series (1992–95) and The Lego Batman Movie (2017), as well as video games such as the Batman: Arkham series.
Catwoman appears in Batman (1966), portrayed by Julie Newmar in the first and second seasons, Eartha Kitt in the third season, Lee Meriwether in the series' film adaptation (see below)[1] and an uncredited body double in the episode "The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra". All three primary Catwomen are described by comic writer, Marc Andreyko, in an afterword to a Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77 omnibus, as being akin to a "Darrin [Stevens]-in-Bewitched bit of silent recasting" and his colleague, co-writer Jeff Parker, liked how their story "leaves no one out and the readers got it immediately", thus reflecting how the change of actress was never specifically addressed.[2] In the TV series, Catwoman was given neither a background nor an alter ego. Instead, it focused on her costumed aspects. The costume created for the series was similar to the green catsuit that appeared in the comics at the time, though it was constructed by Newmar from black Lurex fabric. One of these costumes tailored for Newmar was later added to the Smithsonian Institution.[3] Due to other commitments, Newmar was unavailable for the aforementioned film produced after the first season and for the series' third season.[4]
Catwoman appears in Birds of Prey, portrayed by Casey Elizabeth Easlick. This version is a metahuman with cat-like abilities and the mother of Huntress who was killed by Clayface years prior.
A young Selina Kyle appears in Gotham, portrayed by Camren Bicondova as a teenager[5] and Lili Simmons as an adult.[6] This version is initially a 13-year-old thief and orphan who lives on Gotham City's streets who witnesses the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne.[7] After being saved from the Dollmaker's henchmen by GCPD Detective Jim Gordon, she forming a tenuous alliance with him,[8] promising to help him solve the Waynes' murder in exchange for reducing her criminal record. In the meantime, Gordon arranges for her to stay at Wayne Manor, where she befriends the young Bruce Wayne.[9] She saves him from a gang of hired killers and gives him his first kiss.[10] Throughout the rest of the series, Selina overcomes her insecurities and develops a love-hate relationship with Bruce while helping him keep order in Gotham City, despite often butting heads with him due to her moral ambiguity. While she takes inspiration from previous Catwoman actresses Michelle Pfeiffer and Anne Hathaway, among others, Bicondova wanted to portray a side of Kyle not seen before, focusing on her past.[11][5] As the series finale jumps ten years into the future from the rest of the series, Bicondova did not feel comfortable portraying her character as an adult, and at her request, an older actress was chosen to portray the adult Kyle.[12][13]Warner Bros. Television cast Lili Simmons in the role, with Simmons and Bicondova collaborating closely on the adult Kyle's characterization.[6]
Catwoman was originally set to appear in the Challenge of the Superfriends as a member of the Legion of Doom. However, due to The New Adventures of Batman being in development at the time, Catwoman was unable to appear in the series and was eventually replaced with the Cheetah.[14]
Catwoman appears in The Batman/Superman Hour, voiced by Jane Webb. Similarly to the aforementioned Batman (1966) incarnation, this version wore her then-current green catsuit and heavy focus was placed on her costumed identity.
Catwoman appears in The Batman (2004), voiced by Gina Gershon.[15] This version is a charity fundraiser in her civilian identity. Furthermore, her design is loosely based on the then-current costume used in the comic books, though with blue eyes instead of green.
Catwoman, based on her Silver Age design, appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Nika Futterman.[15] In her most notable appearance in the episode "The Mask of Matches Malone!", she helps form the Birds of Prey to rescue Batman after he suffers amnesia while working undercover as the titular Matches Malone.
An alternate timeline variant of Catwoman appears in the "Batman of Shanghai" segment of DC Nation Shorts, voiced by Stephanie Sheh. This version is a Chinese thief who was active in Shanghai during the 1930s.
Catwoman makes primarily non-speaking cameo appearances in Teen Titans Go!, voiced by Katie Crown in the episode "Jam".
Catwoman appears in DC Super Hero Girls (2019), voiced by Cree Summer.[15] This version is an African-American student of Metropolis High and the leader of the Super Villain Girls.
Catwoman appears in Harley Quinn, voiced by Sanaa Lathan.[15] This version is Poison Ivy's ex-girlfriend of African-American descent who is said to be the "best burglar in all of Gotham".
Catwoman, based on her Silver Age design, appears in Batman: Caped Crusader, voiced by Christina Ricci.[17][18] This version was previously wealthy before her father was imprisoned for embezzlement and her family lost most of their money. In response, she became Catwoman in an attempt to maintain her former life.[19]
First appearing in Batman: The Animated Series (1992), her design took inspiration from Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal, with long blonde hair in her civilian identity and a predominately gray catsuit with long black gloves and boots, causing her to resemble a seal-point Siamese cat. Furthermore, this series establishes Catwoman as a socialite and animal rights activist in addition to being a costumed thief in her early appearances and highlights her feelings towards Batman. Though she displays a crush on him, she tries to keep her distance from Batman and Bruce Wayne, who she previously dated.
For The New Batman Adventures, Catwoman was redesigned to have an entirely black catsuit, light blue facial makeup, and short black hair.
Catwoman also appears in the short featurette "Chase Me".
A spin-off focused on Catwoman was in production before being cancelled. Nonetheless, it was later reconsidered years later as a dual spin-off also focused on Nightwing.[20]
The Batman (1966) incarnation of Catwoman appears in the series' film adaptation, portrayed by Lee Meriwether. Following production of the series' first season, Julie Newmar was intended to reprise the role until the producers learned she would be unavailable due to prior commitments.[4]
Selina Kyle / Catwoman appears in Batman Returns (1992), portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. For her design, screenwriter Daniel Waters took inspiration from Kyle's appearance in Catwoman: Her Sister's Keeper while her characterization drew on her pre-Crisis intepretation.[21][22] Prior to Pfeiffer's casting, Madonna, Jennifer Beals, Lorraine Bracco and Demi Moore were linked to the role, with Madonna in particular as the frontrunner, while Sean Young campaigned heavily to take on the role. When it was suggested to director Tim Burton that Pfeiffer was interested, the producers thought "She's perfect. She also could be both Selina Kyle and Catwoman."[23][24] This version of Kyle is the mousy, lonely, and frustrated secretary of corrupt tycoon Max Shreck. After inadvertently stumbling onto his plot to steal Gotham City's electricity, he attempts to murder her. However, she is mysteriously revived by a group of cats. Returning home, she suffers a psychotic break and reinvents herself as the seductive and deadly Catwoman. While seeking revenge on Shreck, she allies herself with the Penguin, comes into conflict with Batman, and enters a brief relationship with Bruce Wayne, initially unaware that he is Batman. Eventually, she succeeds in killing Shreck, during which she is presumed dead as well. However, her body disappears while a figure wearing her suit later surfaces.
Following Batman Returns, Burton stated that he no interest in returning to direct a sequel, but he stayed on as a producer.[25] With Warner Bros. moving on development for Batman Forever in June 1993, a Catwoman spin-off film was announced, with Pfeiffer intended to reprise her role in the latter film instead of Forever.[26] Burton was attached to direct the spin-off while producer Denise Di Novi and writer Daniel Waters also returned.[27] In January 1994, Burton became unsure of his plans to direct Catwoman or an adaptation of "The Fall of the House of Usher".[28] On June 16, 1995, Waters turned in his Catwoman script to Warner Bros., the same day that Batman Forever was released. Burton was still being courted to direct. Waters joked, "Turning it in the day Batman Forever opened may not have been my best logistical move, in that it's the celebration of the fun-for-the-whole-family Batman. Catwoman is definitely not a fun-for-the-whole-family script."[29] In an August 1995 interview, Pfeiffer re-iterated her interest in the spin-off, but explained her priorities would be challenged as a mother and commitments to other projects.[30] The film labored in development hell for years, with Pfeiffer later being replaced by Ashley Judd. The film ended up becoming Catwoman (see below).[31][32]
In 2000, Warner Bros. commissioned Darren Aronofsky for an adaptation of Batman: Year One to reboot the original Batman film franchise. The script featured an African-American Selina Kyle / Catwoman in a prominent role.[33] However, no further progress was made.
An original incarnation of Catwoman named Patience Phillips appears in a self-titled film, portrayed by Halle Berry. She is a graphic designer working for a cosmetics company called Hedare Beauty. After she learns their anti-aging skin cream, Beau-Line, has deadly side effects, the company's CEO's wife Laurel Hedare orders Patience to be killed. However, she is mysteriously revived by Midnight, an Egyptian Mau, and granted cat-like abilities. Donning a mask to protect her identity, Patience becomes Catwoman to seek revenge. This eventually leads her to Laurel, who murders her husband and attempts to frame Patience for it, only to later fall to her death. In addition to Patience, other Catwomen are alluded to, such as Pfeiffer's incarnation. The film was poorly received by critics and audiences and is commonly listed as one of the worst films ever made.
Prior to the announcement that Michael Keaton would be reprising his role as Batman in The Flash,[43] Pfeiffer previously stated a willingness and enthusiasm to reprise her own role as Catwoman.[44][45] In a 2021 interview with Screen Rant, she stated that she would have been interested in doing so, but she would not be appearing in the film.[46]
Around 2003, during the production of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Warner Bros. approached Boyd Kirkland to write a Catwoman direct-to-video feature film as a tie-in with the character's self-titled film. Though the script was written, the project was soon scrapped following the latter film's poor reception.[51]
Catwoman appears as a playable character in Injustice: Gods Among Us,[62] voiced again by Grey DeLisle.[63] Additionally, an alternate reality variant who previously worked with Batman's Insurgency before defecting to Superman's Regime appears as well. Furthermore, her mainstream and Batman: Arkham City designs appear as alternate skins.
The Injustice incarnation of Catwoman appears as a playable character in Injustice 2, voiced again by Grey DeLisle.[65][15] By this time, she has rejoined the Insurgency and initially operates as a double agent within Gorilla Grodd's Society.
Catwoman appears as a playable character in SINoALICE, voiced again by Ai Kakuma.[66]
Catwoman appears in Batman: The Enemy Within, voiced again by Laura Bailey. While working to sabotage a supervillain group called the Pact, she eventually ends up captured by the Agency and forced to take part in their supervillain program.
Catwoman appears as a playable character in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, voiced by Laura Bailey.[68] This version's appearance is primarily based on that of her New 52 incarnation, with the Batman (1966) and pre-New 52 designs appearing as alternate skins. Furthermore, the Batman (1966) incarnation appears as a miniboss while The Dark Knight Rises incarnation appears as a downloadable playable character.
The Lego Batman Movie incarnation of Catwoman makes a cameo appearance in Lego Dimensions, voiced again by Grey Griffin.
Catwoman serves as inspiration for The Fox, who appears in Mark Millar's Wanted, Nemesis Reloaded, and Big Game, with her face in the first series being modelled after Halle Berry prior to her portraying the titular role in Catwoman (2004).[78]
The Injustice incarnation of Catwoman appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us and Injustice 2 prequel comics, in which she helped co-found the Insurgency alongside Batman and supports the group for five years before defecting to the Regime after losing hope that Superman could be stopped. Following Superman's defeat, she returns to the Insurgency and agrees to serve as a mole within Gorilla Grodd's Society.
Catwoman, based on Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal, appears in Batman '89, written by Sam Hamm and illustrated by Joe Quinones.[79]
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