Halle BerryThe 2004 box office pump Catwoman It is a masterpiece or a disaster based on who you listen to. Maybe it’s a disaster?
DC Comics Catwoman’s heroin has been interpreted countless times in live action since its inception in 1940, with Michelle Pfeiffer, Anne Hathaway and Zoo Kravitz Being just some of those who have given the Selina Kyle leather cat. However, the portrait of Catwoman de Berry has a unique place in film history, both for his review at the time of publication and in the way in which later generations have completely re -evaluated their performance. Berry embraced the divisive response to CatwomanEven appearing at the Razzie Awards in person on February 26, 2005, to collect his worst actress prize.
As we reach the 20th anniversary of the iconic appearance of the Razzie de Berry Awards, keep moving -you to find out the real story of CatwomanDramatic failure and unexpected reassessment:
What went wrong
In short, almost everything I might have gone wrong Catwoman Went wrong. Warner Bros. I wanted to take advantage of Pfeiffer’s popularity as Selina Kyle / CatWoman since 1992 Batman returns Thus, the study developed a spinoff.
Pfeiffer signed up to run -S Catwoman film in 1993, and Batman returns‘ Tim Burton was on board to direct at the beginning, based on a script of Daniel Waters. A first draft of Catwoman The same day was sent to Warner Bros. Batman forever It was released in 1995, but according to the studio executives, the dark tone of the film and the action of the film diverted the executives.
Burton and Pfeiffer were abandoned while the development of the project stopped in the 1990’s. Ashley Judd and Nicole Kidman They were considered briefly to replace Pfeiffer, which would have been challenges in the case of Kidman, as he had already performed Dr. Chase Meridian a Batman forever.
When Warner Bros. turned to Batman vs. Superman Project (which would not really materialize until 2016), Berry was hired to interpret CATWOMAN in a company project. Warner Bros almost immediately put creative handles to Guru SFX director Pitof In decree that Batman could not mention or show to Catwoman.
)Catwoman I came to my radar while I did (Dies another day In 2002), that was when I was first asked. I was thrilled wild, “Berry said Weekly entertainment By 2024, “the pitch was not really a story; it was just the idea of reinventing Catwoman. The study was a large part of it; the idea was not to do what has been done again and again, but to bring something different.”
Pitof and screenwriters John Brancato, Michael Ferris and John Rogers Rolled with Warner Bros. ‘Challenging creative directives by choosing not using the Selina Kyle version of Catwoman at all. Instead, Berry would play Patince Phillips, the most recent of a line of old rugs empowered by an Egyptian Mau Midnight cat.
When cameras rolled up, the pitoff’s Catwoman Focused on Wallflower Patience, triggering his field-Felin when he discovered the cosmetics company for which he worked was housing a dark secret. Sharon stone offered a highly theatrical performance, unlike the sixties Batman The television series, as a cosmetics tycoon, Laurel Hedare, while Benjamin Bratt cost when the blow was investigating the sudden reappearance of Catwoman.
Since Catwoman Could not be linked to Batman’s lore, Pitof included a subtle recognition that the film existed in the same universe as Batman returns Briefly showing a photo of Selina Kyle by Michelle Pfeiffer as one of the many crosses throughout history.
“I checked some to see how CATWOMAN is comics, to ensure that our catwoman was in the same vein,” said Pitoff to Hype of Superherois In 2023. “But I did not want to be too influenced by the comic book, because the whole point of the film is to be the first movie and to be different. Different from Batman, different from Spider-Man: This film has its own identity. I tried to find my sources more in the character of CATWOMAN. For me, CATWOMAN We are rolling now with Halle Berry is the continuity of others. He has interpreted CATWOMAN in the past.
The reaction
Would be a underestimation to suggest Catwoman He faced the harsh critical criticism. The film was infacious to Shreds, both for critics and DC Comics Hards for its peculiar tone, PG-13 rating, strange mythology and Campy’s performances.
Since then the critical drubbing was especially hard Catwoman It was one of the first major Hollywood projects for Berry since he made history as a First African American woman to win the best Oscar actress in 2002, for Monster Ball.
Legendary cinema critic Roger Ebert hated Catwoman so much that he suggested to Its 2004 review: “The director, whose name is Pitof, probably issued with two names at birth and it would be advisable to use the other in his next project.”
Whenever Catwoman the review was reviewed Ebert TV showtheir cohost Richard Caller He made a questionable joke about the decrease in Berry’s star power.
“I can say, however, Halle Berry is probably the first Oscar winner to put on a S&M leather dress and he considered a kitten cat,” Roeper complained.
Bill wifefrom Republic of ArizonaHe argued in his assessment that Berry had committed such a serious film sin that he should have returned the Academy Award.
Catwoman He failed spectacularly at the box office, not recovering $ 100 million than Warner Bros. spent to produce and market the Batman Spinoff. Twenty years later, Catwomans Rotten tomato The critical score is still 8 percent.
As if adding insult to injuries, Catwoman He received seven nominations and four wins at the 25th Golden Raspberry Awards in 2005. The annual awards show Celebrate – or, perhaps, denigrates – the greatest critical and financial failures in Hollywood.
Halle Berry’s response
Berry took CatwomanThe failure in Stride, bringing his academic award to accept personally The worst actress prize in the Razzies in February 2005.
“Never, in my life, I thought I would be here winning a razzie,” Berry joked in his acceptance speech. “It’s not as if we had aspired to be here … You don’t win a razzie without much help from many people!”
The actress continued: “I want to thank Warner Bros. Thank you for putting on a piece of God’s movie. It was what my career needed, do you know? Was on top and Catwoman I just fell to the bottom. I love it. “
In July 2024, Berry insisted Had no regrets up on top CatwomanThe failure of his appearance at the Razzie Awards.
“I would have written (my speech) to a inch of my life. I thought a lot about how I could do it in a fun way and I let everyone know that I didn’t take it so seriously, ”he said Weekly entertainment. “You will never be able to take my Oscar, no matter how much I hurt me! If you say I have won this, well, I will take it. Accept the wonderful things that people say and accept when they do not say wonderful things.”
Catwoman’s legacy
During the past twenty years, Catwoman It has become a classic of worship. While the film was revealed for its Campy at the time of its publication, many younger fans have defended their plot and excessive dialogue.
“People were not ready for this type of movie,” Pitof said Indearest By 2024. “Now, after some key movements, we have more diversity and inclusivity. The younger audience sees things differently and are much more open. At that time, comic book fans hated the movie because the movie did not involve Batman; With a new generation, it is not a problem. They take it as it is. “
Berry apparently made peace with CatwomanAlso. Put in Topless for an Instagram publication of 2024 Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the launch of the superhero movie.
“And yet … Meow! It’s been 20 years today since I had the honor of giving life to this iconic character, “Berry wrote via Instagram. “It will always be close to my heart and I will forever be Patience Phillips, Aka CatWoman!”
Even said Oscar winning actress The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon In August 2024 that would be willing to Tap Catwoman again In a condition.
“Maybe if he could direct it,” he told the host Jimmy Fallon.
Catwoman It is available to reproduce -now on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
