Catwoman is a fictional character first appearing in issue 1 oftheBatman 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 theBatman television series (1966–68), its film adaptationBatman (1966),Batman Returns (1992),Catwoman (2004),The Dark Knight Rises (2012),Gotham (2014–19), andThe Batman (2022). The character has also appeared in numerous animated television series and movies, most notablyBatman: The Animated Series (1992–95) andThe Lego Batman Movie (2017), as well as video games such as theBatman: Arkham series.
Catwoman appears inBatman (1966), portrayed byJulie 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 aBatman '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".[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 blackLurex fabric. One of these costumes tailored for Newmar was later added to theSmithsonian Institution.[3] Due to other commitments, Newmar was unavailable for the aforementioned film produced after the first season or for the series' third season.[4]
Catwoman appears inBirds of Prey, portrayed by Casey Elizabeth Easlick. This version is ametahuman with cat-like abilities and the mother ofHuntress who was killed byClayface years prior.
A youngSelina Kyle appears inGotham, portrayed byCamren Bicondova as a teenager[5] andLili Simmons as an adult.[6] This version is initially a 13-year-old thief and orphan who lives on Gotham City's streets and witnesses the murders ofThomas andMartha Wayne.[7] After being saved from theDollmaker's henchmen byGCPD DetectiveJim Gordon, she forms 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 atWayne Manor, where she befriends the youngBruce Wayne.[9][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 actressesMichelle Pfeiffer andAnne 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 Simmons in the role, with her and Bicondova collaborating closely on the adult Kyle's characterization.[6]
Catwoman was originally set to appear in theChallenge of the Superfriends as a member of theLegion of Doom. However, due toThe New Adventures of Batman being in development at the time, Catwoman was unable to appear in the series and was eventually replaced with theCheetah.[14]
Catwoman appears inThe Batman/Superman Hour, voiced byJane Webb. Similarly to the aforementionedBatman (1966) incarnation, this version wore her then-current green catsuit and heavy focus was placed on her costumed identity.
Catwoman appears inThe Batman (2004), voiced byGina 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.
An alternate timeline variant of Catwoman appears in the "Batman of Shanghai" segment ofDC Nation Shorts, voiced byStephanie Sheh. This version is a Chinese thief who was active inShanghai during the 1930s.
Catwoman appears inTeen Titans Go!. This version acts a bit more like a cat than a woman.
Catwoman appears inDC Super Hero Girls (2019), voiced byCree Summer.[15] This version is an African-American student of Metropolis High and the leader of the Super Villain Girls.
Catwoman appears inHarley Quinn, voiced primarily bySanaa Lathan and by Cherise Boothe in the fifth season.[15][16] This version isPoison 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 theBatman: Caped Crusader episode "Kiss of the Catwoman", voiced byChristina Ricci.[18][19][15] This version was previously wealthy before her father was imprisoned forembezzlement and the family's businesses were seized. In response, she adopts the identity of Catwoman and turns to petty burglary to maintain her former lifestyle only to be defeated by Batman and arrested by the police. Selina is later informed by her former maid Greta that all of her remaining possessions have been sold as compensation for lost wages.[20]
First appearing inBatman: The Animated Series (1992), her design took inspiration fromMichelle Pfeiffer'sportrayal, 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.
ForThe New Batman Adventures, Catwoman was redesigned to have an entirely black catsuit, light blue facial makeup, and short black hair.
Catwoman 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 onNightwing.[21]
TheBatman (1966) incarnation of Catwoman appears in the series'film adaptation, portrayed byLee 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 inBatman Returns (1992), portrayed byMichelle Pfeiffer. For her design, screenwriterDaniel Waters took inspiration from Kyle's appearance inCatwoman: Her Sister's Keeper while her characterization drew on herpre-Crisis interpretation.[22][23] Prior to Pfeiffer's casting,Madonna,Jennifer Beals,Lorraine Bracco andDemi Moore were linked to the role, with Madonna in particular as the frontrunner, whileSean Young campaigned heavily to take on the role. When it was suggested to directorTim Burton that Pfeiffer was interested, the producers thought "She's perfect. She also could be both Selina Kyle and Catwoman."[24][25] 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 thePenguin, comes into conflict withBatman, 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.
FollowingBatman Returns, Burton stated that he had no interest in returning to direct a sequel, but he stayed on as a producer.[26] With Warner Bros. moving on development forBatman Forever in June 1993, aCatwoman spin-off film was announced, with Pfeiffer intended to reprise her role in the latter film instead ofForever.[27] Burton was attached to direct the spin-off while producer Denise Di Novi and writer Daniel Waters also returned.[28] In January 1994, Burton became unsure of his plans to directCatwoman or an adaptation of "The Fall of the House of Usher".[29] On June 16, 1995, Waters turned in hisCatwoman script to Warner Bros., the same day thatBatman Forever was released. Burton was still being courted to direct. Waters joked, "Turning it in the dayBatman 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."[30] 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.[31] The film labored indevelopment hell for years, with Pfeiffer later being replaced byAshley Judd. The film ended up becomingCatwoman (see below).[32][33]
In 2000, Warner Bros. commissionedDarren Aronofsky for an adaptation ofBatman: Year One toreboot the originalBatman film franchise. The script featured an African-American Selina Kyle / Catwoman in a prominent role.[34] However, no further progress was made.
An original incarnation of Catwoman namedPatience Phillips appears in aself-titled film, portrayed byHalle 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, anEgyptian 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 theworst films ever made.
Prior to the announcement thatMichael Keaton would be reprising his role as Batman inThe Flash,[44] Pfeiffer previously stated a willingness and enthusiasm to reprise her own role as Catwoman.[45][46] In a 2021 interview withScreen Rant, she stated that she would have been interested in doing so, but she would not be appearing in the film.[47]
Around 2003, during the production ofBatman: Mystery of the Batwoman,Warner Bros. approachedBoyd Kirkland to write a Catwoman direct-to-video feature film as a tie-in with the character'sself-titled film. Though the script was written, the project was soon scrapped following the latter film's poor reception.[52]
Catwoman appears as a playable character inInjustice: Gods Among Us,[63] voiced again by Grey DeLisle.[64] Additionally, an alternate reality variant who previously worked with Batman's Insurgency before defecting toSuperman's Regime appears as well. Furthermore, her mainstream andBatman: Arkham City designs appear as alternate skins.
TheInjustice incarnation of Catwoman appears as a playable character inInjustice 2, voiced again by Grey DeLisle.[66][15] By this time, she has rejoined the Insurgency and initially operates as a double agent withinGorilla Grodd'sSociety.
Catwoman appears as a playable character inSINoALICE, voiced again by Ai Kakuma.[67]
Catwoman appears inBatman: The Enemy Within, voiced again by Laura Bailey. While working to sabotage a supervillain group called the Pact, she eventually ends up captured by theAgency and forced to take part in theirsupervillain program.
Catwoman appears as a playable character inLego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, voiced byLaura Bailey.[69] This version's appearance is primarily based on that of herNew 52 incarnation, with theBatman (1966) and pre-New 52 designs appearing as alternate skins. Furthermore, theBatman (1966) incarnation appears as a miniboss whileThe Dark Knight Rises incarnation appears as a downloadable playable character.
The Lego Batman Movie incarnation of Catwoman makes a cameo appearance inLego Dimensions, voiced again by Grey Griffin.
Catwoman serves as inspiration forThe Fox, who appears inMark Millar'sWanted,Nemesis Reloaded, andBig Game, with her face in the first series being modelled afterHalle Berry prior to her portraying the titular role inCatwoman (2004).[79]
TheInjustice incarnation of Catwoman appears in theInjustice: Gods Among Us andInjustice 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 withinGorilla Grodd'sSociety.
Catwoman, based on Michelle Pfeiffer's portrayal, appears inBatman '89, written bySam Hamm and illustrated by Joe Quinones.[80]
^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaa"Catwoman Voices (Batman)". Behind The Voice Actors. RetrievedDecember 28, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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