Just like with the Batman role itself, there has been months of speculation surrounding the casting of the role of Catwoman in Matt Reeves' 2021 reboot. The character has been rumored to appear in the film for a while now, yet there had been no solid casting rumors apart from fan suggestions. With Robert Pattinson (Good Time) set as our new Batman, Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) as Commissioner Gordon, and Jonah Hill (Wolf of Wallstreet) as an undisclosed villain, it was only a matter of time before Bruce Wayne's romantic flame was cast. After a shortlist of actresses screen-tested for the part, Zoe Kravitz (Big Little Lies) has reportedly won the role.
Just a few weeks ago reports had come out that Warner Bros. was looking for a "Zoe Kravitz type" to play Catwoman and were looking at actresses of color for the role. These actresses included Tessa Thompson (Thor: Ragnarok), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men: Dark Phoenix), Lupita Nyong'o (US), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Black Mirror), and Logan Browning (Dear White People). While it wasn't clear at the time why WB wouldn't just cast Kravitz herself rather than look for an actress similar to her, this was apparently due to her scheduling commitments to WB's other big franchise Fantastic Beasts. With that series in a sort of limbo at the moment, Kravitz was apparently freed up to take the role.
Like with Pattinson who had to beat out Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road), Armie Hammer (Call Me By Your Name), and Aaron-Taylor Johnson (Kick-Ass) for the role of Bruce Wayne, Kravitz had to screen-test before winning over director Matt Reeves. According to THR the final names that screen-tested with Pattinson this weekend were fan favorites Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Eiza Gonzalez (Baby Driver), Ella Balinska (Charlie's Angels), and of course Kravitz herself. Its unknown if this race was as close as Pattinson and Hoult's reportedly was, but it seems Warner Bros. got the actress they wanted all along.
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| (Left to right) De Armas, Gonzalez, and Balinska |
This news also finally confirms that Catwoman will indeed be in the movie after months of rumors but no confirmation. The character will most likely be an anti-hero in the movie as she is in the comics, and serve as a love interest for Bruce Wayne. The character has been brought to the big screen by both Michelle Pfieffer and Anne Hathaway, so it'll be interesting to see what approach Reeves takes with the Selina Kyle. We also still don't know what villain Jonah Hill is playing or whether he's officially been cast, but Kravitz's Catwoman may be associated with him or helping Batman take him down.
So what do you think of Kravitz as Catwoman? Would you have preferred one of the other rumored actresses in the role? Let us know below!
