New Catwoman Movie

[Villano]

I was surfing around when I stumbled across this bit of news concerning the proposed new Catwoman movie. I've never heard this before, and I don't think it's been mentioned here:

18 MARCH 2003

Oscar winner Halle Berry has showcased her action hero skills as James Bond's female counterpart Jinx and the superpower-wielding Storm in X-Men. And now, film bosses think they have found another blockbuster role that would be just purr-fect for the sexy star – feline crime fighter Catwoman.

Halle is reportedly in talks with movie giant Warner Bros to take on the role played by Michelle Pfeiffer on the big screen and some memorable sex kittens – Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar – on TV. Production on the film, which is set for a 2004 release, is expected to begin later this year.

The director's chair will be filled by French filmmaker Pitof, best known for his 2001 directorial debut, Gerard Depardieu's Vidocq, and his work as visual effects director for Joan Of Arc and Alien: Resurrection. Writers John Brancato and Michael Ferris, the duo behind thrillers The Game and The Net, are among those working on the script.

Talk of a Catwoman feature has been making the rounds since Michelle Pfeiffer's PVC-clad appearance in 1992's Batman Returns. Plans were put on hold until 2001, when Ashley Judd's name became attached to the project. However, the Kiss The Girls star was unable to commit, and the flick was put on ice once again.

I had heard that Nicole Kidman was alledgedly connected for a time, and then when she wasn't able to commit, Judd was talked about. Last I heard, she still was. I guess she isn't now.

Truthfully, when I first read this, I thought, "Wow, Halle Berry would be great as Catwoman!" The fact she is black didn't even occur to me (I was honestly too busy imagining what she'd look like in a Catwoman outfit, crawling around purring like Julie Newmar ). I didn't have any doubts about her or the project until I decided to check out imdb.com (to see if there's been any changes since the above article appeared), and I saw this:

Plot Outline: When her father is murdered, Patience Prince becomes Catwoman and searches for the culprit. A detective chases her though the streets, when she discovers the killer is none other then her boss.

Credited cast: Halle Berry.... Patience Price/Catwoman

Owen Wilson.... Tom Lone

"Patience Price"? She's searching for her father's killer? Last I remember, Catwoman was Selina Kyle, a catburglar.

What's the point of making a movie about a character when you change everything about her but her name? I know the easy answer is that the studio bought "name recognition", but it just seems wrong to me.

I understand the fact that they probably can't use Batman or any references to him, but you can still come up with a thousand stories that stick to the basic concept.

Nightmare visions of the old Captain America tv movies are racing through my mind.

 

[Welverin]

"Patience Price"? She's searching for her father's killer? Last I remember, Catwoman was Selina Kyle, a catburglar.

What's the point of making a movie about a character when you change everything about her but her name? I know the easy answer is that the studio bought "name recognition", but it just seems wrong to me.

While I basically agree with you, DC does do this sort of thing themselves, after all how many Flashes have there been, GL, GA, Robin? Marvel does the same thing, though generally with villians.

 

[Klaus]

In the comics, it's a generational thing (Marvel's so-called "Ultimate" line is an idea that first appeared in 1956, with the Silver Age Flash). Heroes get old, retire, die, but others pick up the mantle.

In this case, it's just Warner Bros. showing they didn't learn anything from their own failures (Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, Birds of Prey) and their competitor's success (X-Men, X2, Blade, Blade 2, Spiderman, Daredevil).

I really hope this Catwoman movie doesn't get made. It will halt the production of any more faithful (and interesting) Catwoman projects... or at least they can rename it "The Cat" and sever any and all ties with the comic book.

 

[Dismas]

Don't forget Eartha Kitt also played cat woman .

Another little 'scoop'; IMDB also shows our very own John Rogers (jonrog1) as a writer.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Am I the only one bothered by Owen Wilson in the movie as well. Don't get me wrong, I think he is a good comedic actor but I am not sure Catwoman should be a comedy.

 

[Ranger REG]

Owen Wilson. Is that the brother with the blond hair, who starred in Behind Enemy Line as a downed aviator being rescued by a team led by Gene Hackman?

 

[Welverin]

Another little 'scoop'; IMDB also shows our very own John Rogers (jonrog1) as a writer.

Have to see it now. Unless John says his contribution ends up in the garbage.

Owen Wilson. Is that the brother with the blond hair, who starred in Behind Enemy Line as a downed aviator being rescued by a team led by Gene Hackman?

I think it's the same guy. Owen is definitely the Guy in Shanghai Noon/Knights.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I just can't see Halle Berry as Catwoman at all.

Plus, the main thing I like about Catwoman is that she's fairly morally ambiguous, and is often on the wrong side of the law as the right. The whole messed-up-in-the-head about Batman thing helps too.

This film sounds like teh suck, to me, as it stands.

 

[Endur]

I think any Catwoman movie has to have Batman in it. If only just a flashback or a cameo appearance.

And any Catwoman movie that doesn't have Selina Kyle as Catwoman is not going to be a blockbuster.

"Patience Price"? She's searching for her father's killer? Last I remember, Catwoman was Selina Kyle, a catburglar.

What's the point of making a movie about a character when you change everything about her but her name? I know the easy answer is that the studio bought "name recognition", but it just seems wrong to me.

I understand the fact that they probably can't use Batman or any references to him, but you can still come up with a thousand stories that stick to the basic concept.

Nightmare visions of the old Captain America tv movies are racing through my mind.

 

[Silver Moon]

Have to see it now. Unless John says his contribution ends up in the garbage.

I asked him about this a month or so ago in the "Core" thread. I believe that he indicated that the version of the script he worked on was a long, long time ago and doesn't know what happened to it since then. Since it has been in various states of production for over a decade now that makes sense. Heck, wasn't that back when Jonrog1 was still writing for "The Cosby Show" ?