The 2004 movie, Catwoman was originally planned as a spin-off from Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic role as Selina Kyle in Batman Returns but evolved into a new tale rather introduced the fans to a whole new character, after Pfeiffer’s departure.
Halle Berry portrayed Patience Phillips, a 9 to 5 office worker killed by her employer after uncovering a corporate secret. Resurrected by cats, Patience transforms into Catwoman, seeking vengeance against Sharon Stone’s Laurel Hedare.
Michelle Pfeiffer’s Contract with Catwoman Forced Writers to Chart a New Route
The story of Catwoman began in 1992 after Batman Returns when producer Denise Di Novi wanted to create a spinoff starring Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle. However, the project encountered significant delays and complications during development. All because, the plans for Batman movies seemed uncertain, and thus, Michelle Pfeiffer left the franchise behind.
As Pfeiffer was contractually tied to the character, thus, instead of focusing on Selina Kyle alone, when Catwoman happened in 2004, it turned into the origin story of a completely new character bringing in Halle Berry. Speaking to Inverse, screenwriter John Rogers explained,
The execs were like, “We can’t make it Selina Kyle because there’s a contract issue. So if it’s not Michelle Pfeiffer, who we can’t afford anymore, it can’t be Selina Kyle.” That’s why it’s Patience Phillips.
Further adding to how the project changed its course over time, he said,
At first, the axis of the story was the domestic labor of housewives. Then, we turned it into a bioweapon thing. Then, I made Patience a vet so it would make sense that she’s working with animals. Later, she winds up being a graphic designer. It winds up being about evil makeup.
A new backstory was crafted for the character from scratch entirely, diverging from DC Comics canon. Challenges in the script centered on defining her superpowers and their origin. Although production received a significant push with the casting of Halle Berry as Catwoman, it also intensified expectations and the pressure to deliver a compelling story, which in the end it couldn’t deliver.
Why Was Halle Berry’s 2004 Catwoman Movie So Bad?
The 2004 movie is widely regarded as the worst DC film of all time. This film defies all expectations for a comic book adaptation, a superhero movie, or a story with a female protagonist. It goes against the very essence of the character, appearing cheap and amateurish with a poorly written script and subpar CGI.
Despite featuring Catwoman, an iconic female superhero, the movie dismisses its comic-book origins and offers a lackluster alternative storyline.
According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed $82.4 million globally against a $100 million budget, while currently maintaining an 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Speaking about all that went on after the film’s release, Berry in a chat with Entertainment Weekly, revealed,
I didn’t love [the backlash]. Being a Black woman, I’m used to carrying negativity on my back, fighting, being a fish swimming upstream by myself. I’m used to defying stereotypes and making a way out of no way. I didn’t want to be casual about it, but I went and collected that Razzie, laughed at myself, and kept it moving. It didn’t derail me because I’ve fought as a Black woman my whole life. A little bad publicity about a movie? I didn’t love it, but it wasn’t going to stop my world or derail me from doing what I love to do.
Catwoman is available on Apple TV for rent.
