The Batman’s Zoë Kravitz says her screen test as Catwoman was “intimidating, to say the least”, and balked at being asked to take off a helmet.
The Batman’s Zoë Kravitz says her screen test as Catwoman was “intimidating, to say the least”, and balked at being asked to take off a helmet.
Zoë Kravitz has recalled her first chemistry screen test with Robert Pattinson for The Batman, saying “it was intimidating, to say the least”. Kravitz, whose previous screen credits include both the Divergent and Fantastic Beasts films, was cast as Catwoman/Selina Kyle in October 2019 after having already voiced the character in 2017’s The Lego Batman Movie. The latest in a long line of actresses to tackle the iconic role, Kravitz is set to follow on in the footsteps of Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, Ertha Kitt, Michell Pfieffer, Halle Berry, and Anne Hathaway.
Promising a far less polished and experienced Batman than has ever been seen on screen before, director Matt Reeves has deep-dived into DC comic lore to take inspiration from several key comics including Batman: Year One, Ego and Other Tales, and The Long Halloween. Meanwhile Kravitz, in preparation for her turn the role, reportedly turned to study footage of cats and lions to help her develop her movements in collaboration with the film’s stunt coordinator. She also admitted to boning up on Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One, which she described as “super badass”.
With only days before The Batman finally hits theaters, the film’s stars, Kravitz and Pattinson, have been busy on the film’s promotional trail and recently sat down for an interview with EW. During the discussion, Kravitz recalled her first screen test with Pattinson, and how just being asked to take off a motorcycle helmet filled her with anxiety.
Despite her misgivings, one can only assume that Kravitz still managed to overcome her hesitancy and nail her audition, as she was ultimately selected for the role over other front-runners including Deadpool 2’s Zazie Beetz and Tomb Raider’s Alicia Vikander. From what audiences have seen so far from various trailers, Kravtiz’s performance as Selina Kyle seems destined to cement her as a clear fan favorite. While other big-screen iterations of the characters have certainly hinted at the strange attraction between Gotham’s Dark Knight and its most agile cat burglar, it would seem Reeves is set to explore their tortured love affair in much greater depth than ever before.
Only time will tell if Kravitz has managed to completely master the subtle art of taking off a motorcycle helmet and still looking cool in the process, but all evidence points at her potentially nailing the role of Selina Kyle. Like Pattinson’s Batman, Kravitz’s Catwoman will clearly still have a long road to travel before she becomes the stylish super thief of Batman lore, but all the makings are certainly there. Fans will finally get a chance to see Kravitz work her magic as DC’s latest Catwoman when The Batman hits theaters on March 4.
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