Hero Complex: Jolie is not a popular Catwoman candidate

Angelina Jolie might look hot in a cat suit, but can she actually act in one? After seeing "The Dark Knight," Hero Complex blogger Geoff Boucher thinks the star of action films such as "Wanted" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" would make "the purrfect Catwoman" in the next Batman installment. But many readers disagreed, to put it politely.

Erik wrote that "Jolie as Catwoman is pretty much the worst idea ever, considering the fact that Jolie couldn't act her way out of a paperbag. She would have fit nicely in the Tim Burton or Joel Schumacher 'visons' (I use that term loosely) that trumpeted style over substance, but she would stick out like a garishly hideous thumb in Nolan's realistic universe. This is an idea I would expect from a dimwitted Hollywood exec." 

Readers such as ibis agreed that Jolie's glamorous looks wouldn't fit in well with the grittiness of Gotham City: "Anytime you put a woman in skin tight leather is a sign of hollywood leeching for commercial success rather than quality story-telling. Did you NOT see ledger perform? You honestly think it was his sex-appeal that drove the success of this film?"

But not all readers put their feelings so articulately. sylvia's opposition to the Catwoman idea depended more on survival: "I think if they casted Angelina as Catwoman I just might shoot myself in the head."

And andy offered a more in-depth analysis as to what works and what doesn't overall in the Batman franchise: "The Batman movies before 'Batman Begins' were always too comical, I couldn't take them seriously. But now, with Nolan's psychological influence, the movies are great. That said, Catwoman doesn't fit the bill. She can't cause Batman terrible psychological troubles."

Dick Grayson "may have considered Jolie when she was decent ('Gia', 'Girl Interrupted'), but with the rash of bad acting and false bravado we've seen of her, she will destroy any credibility in the Nolan Batman series."

Are there any readers who want to defend Boucher's opinion, or is Jolie as Catwoman really "the worst idea ever?" Share your your thoughts on "How to Follow the Dark Knight?  Angelina Jolie as the purrfect Catwoman."

-- Amy Silverstein

Photo by Martin Schoeller, from Los Angeles Times archives

Comments

[ruby]

its not a bad idea... but not cat women (still have that bad taste from HALLY berry)... I think angelina WOULD BE GOOD THOUGH , I JUST SAW A MIGHTY HEART FOR MY LITERATURE CLASS AND SURPRISE, I SAW THE CHARACTER NOT JOLIE. SO I GUESS SHE CAN ACT. OK I WOULD GIVE IT A CHANCE GIVEN THAT SHE CAN ACT TOUGH.

[yk]

Everyone thought Heath Ledger will suck at the Joker and now he is in the Oscar possible nominees list. Angelina Jolie gave a performance worthy of the new phycological batman franchise in Girl, Interrupted, it been done once it can be done again.

[Unknown]

go ahead shoot yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Danielle]

Ummm.....Heeeeeelllllllllllllllllllllllll NO!!!

[Ms. E]

There is no one more inappropriate for catwoman this Angelina Jolie.

She stars in her favorite medium - the tabloids. She has her doctor give press conferences that she's going into the hospital and that she left.

Do we need to know this stuff? I respect Chris Nolan, but he will damage his credibility if he casts her. There's no difference between her and Paris Hilton, and the rest of these tabloid stars.

[barfalina]

YUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!

[Monday]

I disagree with those who think Angelina Jolie cannot act. From Lisa to Marianne Pearl each character she portrays is varied in nature. Even her action characters (Lara Croft, Jane Smith & Fox) were different in personality. I like how in her action movies she demonstrates the ability to be just as good as the men without losing that sexiness. Not enough actresses come across that way in the movies. But, I don't see her playing Catwoman just because it's been done so many times. She has a history of playing original characters and not repeats. And BTW...Michelle Pfeiffer is my favorite Catwoman.

[try Aishwarya]

I think Aishwary would be wonderful in this film. She's pretty, she sexy and pleasing to look at. She's fresh and doesn't have that stale feeling that comes with actors that have been used over and over. She looks the part.

I think if you cast her alongside a well known, you'll have a box office blow out.

See below:
http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/artist_biographies/aishwarya_rai_biography.htm

[wildflower509]

It's a HORRIBLE idea to cast Angie Jo as Catwoman. Haven't you seen her recent performances in Alexander, A Mighty Heart, Wanted? She's lost whatever it was she once had, now she's just a Bad Actor in anything she does. Sad to see her go downhill so quickly....A Girl Interrupted, and Tomb Raider were her peak movies done at the height of her creativity, now she's empty, void, no longer an actor of quality product.

[Bobbie]

I personally think it is a very stupid idea. Jolie doesn't have the intellectual or spiritual dynamism that Catwoman exudes. She can excel in movies that need to be porny or mentally disturbed indies. If this were just going to be a silly small-time movie, I would say fine, no big deal. But Batman is a serious blockbuster franchise, and they need to find someone with Michelle Pfeiffer's talent. It doesn't have to be a well-known actress or even an American.

[ellena]

Angelina will be a perfect cast. She is good actress. Being in the tabolid is not her fault . She sells there is a big interest in her personal life.
I am gald the hospital let her doctor to talk about her , otherwise it would have been a big speculation because she had to say there longer than expected. Do you remember what happened when Tom Cruise don't let suri picture just to bulid curosity about her? there were all kind of speculation.

[Kayla]

Angelina Jolie as Catwoman!??
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
I'm sick of seeing her face everywhere.

If they're really going to do Catwoman for the next film, a good idea would be getting away from all the famous tabloid faces and look for talent somewhere away from the US.

Barbara Mori would be the perfect Catwoman. She's a jaw dropping beauty and a great actress. Look her up! She's perfect!

[Isabelle]

I like Jolie. But I used to like her more. She is unconventional. I must say I used to like to much better in the past before this hook up with Brad. Something changed in her, she is less genuine, perhaps. I do have to say that perhaps with the exeption of Girl, Interrupted, Angelina's acting is weak. She most likely gave great performance because she was herself at the crossroads then, going through drugs and psychological difficulties. SO SHE BASICALLY PLAYED HERSELF. In every Angelina movie I do not see her character, I always see Angelina Jolie.This is why she was best for action movies. I totally applaud her saving children, but it seems she is doing it more for us now than for herself. In fact I did not want to see Wanted because I see soccer mom Angelina as opposed to Wanted action hero. I think Angelina got tangled up in something and cannot get out of it. Besides, Billy Bob is so much better of an actor than former pretty boy Brad Pitt, and her union with him was more beneficial for her career.

[Cindy S]

The Batman franciseis beneath her caliber of acting. Those who said she cant act probably havent seen her act recently or at all. Batman more than any other super hero movie has depend on suer star guests to create the buzz. Let's be homest if Heath Ledger was was still allive I doubt this movie would do so well. Good luck next time in trrying to get the same box appeal. I hope Angelina said no.

[chatz]

worst actress ever! she's like a statue! doesn't move too much, i guess she's scared that her face or lips will go askew hehe...really just d worst and so skinny yikes!!!!

[SANA]

I like Jolie. But I used to like her more. She is unconventional. I must say I used to like to much better in the past before this hook up with Brad. Something changed in her, she is less genuine

100 % AGREE !!

( U TOOK THE WORDS OUT OF MY MOUTH.)

[yvonne]

if you want to make a film about pouting and all that nonsense put angelina in it any time she tries to act its a flop (alexander, a mighty heart). The latest batman films are too good to sink to the depths of cheap publicity by hiring her

[StePhaQ]

I think she is great, but not Catwoman, just as Uma Thurman , who is spectacularly hideous by the way, was an awful Poison Ivy (really should have gone to Darryl Hannah). Catwoman should be someone that has that innocent look about her, which we all know Angelina Jolie does not have. Someone like Charlize Theron or Kate Beckinsale.

[quistis]

i love Angelina Jolie. I'm a big fan of hers. She's a great actress and did a brilliant job on the movies she's in (e. g.: Playing by Heart, Girl, Interrupted, and Mighty Heart) but I'm not sure if I want her to be Catwoman or not.

[Anonymous]

Jolie would be perfect for Catwoman. She is an underrated actress who is capable of delivering great performances when given the right script. i.e. A Mighty Heart, Changeling, The Good Shepherd, Girl, Interrupted, Gia, George Wallace, and Playing By Heart.

[Reply to wildflower509]

It's a HORRIBLE idea to cast Angie Jo as Catwoman. Haven't you seen her recent performances in Alexander, A Mighty Heart, Wanted? She's lost whatever it was she once had, now she's just a Bad Actor in anything she does. Sad to see her go downhill so quickly....A Girl Interrupted, and Tomb Raider were her peak movies done at the height of her creativity, now she's empty, void, no longer an actor of quality product.

Posted by: wildflower509 | July 22, 2008 at 02:47 PM
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The film Alexander was mediocre, but Jolie was the highlight. I enjoyed her campy performance. She was also a badass in Wanted, and held her own against her male co-stars. She was phenomenal in A Mighty Heart, which is her best performance to date. It earned her multiple awards and critics raved her performance. They know more about acting than YOU.

[Reply to Isabelle]

I like Jolie. But I used to like her more. She is unconventional. I must say I used to like to much better in the past before this hook up with Brad. Something changed in her, she is less genuine, perhaps. I do have to say that perhaps with the exeption of Girl, Interrupted, Angelina's acting is weak. She most likely gave great performance because she was herself at the crossroads then, going through drugs and psychological difficulties. SO SHE BASICALLY PLAYED HERSELF. In every Angelina movie I do not see her character, I always see Angelina Jolie.This is why she was best for action movies. I totally applaud her saving children, but it seems she is doing it more for us now than for herself. In fact I did not want to see Wanted because I see soccer mom Angelina as opposed to Wanted action hero. I think Angelina got tangled up in something and cannot get out of it. Besides, Billy Bob is so much better of an actor than former pretty boy Brad Pitt, and her union with him was more beneficial for her career.
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You're the only person I've encountered online who has that problem. I think your real problem is that you read too much tabloids.

[grapeape212]

what is angelina going to bring to the film that no other actress will? she's damn well mastered the tight black, gun totting, lip pouting, man eating, super woman she regularly plays but... are there not other actress, namely megan fox, with the same sex appeal/attitude? so again, is she going to bring something new, original, and exciting to the role? highly unlikely. she'd be hot but as far as adding to an epic film franchise as many other actors in the past two films have, she'd fall short of substance. i vote natalie portman :)

[JOHN]

I THINK I MIGHT SHOOT MYSELF TOO IF SHE IS EVER CATWOMAN. BAD FIT!

[imunique]

I laughed at the mere thought of Jolie playing the role of Catwoman. Surely, you jest? For starters, the girl couldn't act her way out of a wet paper bag. She has the intellectual capacity of a door knob. And most importantly...have you seen her lately? She looks like she's in her late 40's. She's had waaay too much plastic surgery and doesn't even look like herself anymore. The only thing she seems to excel at these days is keeping herself at the top of the tabloid fodder inbox. If she played the role of Catwoman, the movie would become an unintentional comedy. Translation: a bomb.

[jess]

Ann Hathaway as catwoman!!!

[Rinny]

Not only would Jolie be a poor choice for Catwoman, but any glam gorgeous type would be step back for Nolan's gritty portrait of the Batman mythos.

What is missing in comics are really compelling female villains that aren't fan service sexpots. A sexed up villain distracts from any potential threatening behavior she may have. I think should not even bother with Catwoman, or completely restructure her character.

[dont try aishwarya rai]

dont try aishwarya rai... are you retarded? she cant act and shes not even good looking... and looks dont matter to nolan as much as acting... never say that again

[Amy Nicholls.]

She dosn't look like any cat women i've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!