Halle Berry, 57, admits she ‘hated’ Catwoman backlash after DC film flopped in the box office 20 years earlier: ‘It’s my failure’

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As a seasoned actress with an illustrious career spanning over three decades, I’ve had my fair share of highs and lows in Hollywood. One project that left a lasting impact on me was my experience playing Catwoman back in 2004.

Twenty years after the release of “Catwoman” in 2004, Halle Berry looked back and confessed her dislike for the criticism the film faced at the time.

The Emmy-winning actor, aged 57 and formerly starring in Hulu’s “All’s Fair” produced by Kim Kardashian, spoke candidly about the two-decade-old DC movie during an Entertainment Weekly interview.

Catwoman made its debut in July 2004 with a production budget of $100 million. However, it only managed to earn $82.4 million at the box office. Sadly, the movie received unfavorable critiques and currently holds a low rating of 8% on Rotten Tomatoes.

After being given a Razzie Award for Worst Actress following her role in the movie, Berry shared that she wasn’t fond of the criticism.

As a Black woman, I’ve become accustomed to bearing the burden of negativity, battling obstacles, and swimming against the current alone. I’m experienced in challenging stereotypes and creating opportunities out of seemingly impossible situations.

Halle shared that she felt reluctant to take a lighthearted approach, but ultimately picked up the Razzie Award, had a good chuckle, and carried on with her day.

She went on to tell the publication, “I wasn’t phased by it because I’ve faced challenges throughout my life as a Black woman.”

I’ve had my fair share of movies that didn’t quite live up to my expectations. But even if I give a movie some less than stellar reviews, it doesn’t shake me to my core or disrupt my passions. I continue to pursue what brings joy and fulfillment into my life.

I believe that carrying the weight of failure throughout one’s life can be a heavy burden. The person in this quote seems to have experienced this firsthand. They express regret over being saddled with the responsibility of that failure, and how it continues to cast a shadow over their present day accomplishments. Yet, despite this, they acknowledge their ability to persevere and continue moving forward. Their story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth and transformation.

It’s all right if that happened, and I’ve experienced both triumphs and setbacks. Everyone has their own perspectives, and sometimes those voices can be quite prominent. Just continue moving forward.

Denise Di Novi, the producer, added her perspective, stating that the negative sentiment towards the film initially arose due to Berry’s Catwoman costume.

Based on my personal experience and perspective, I believe that the initial reaction of negativity was triggered by something new and unfamiliar. This event occurred before we had fully mastered it and made it perfect. It stood out significantly from what audiences were accustomed to in other films they had seen. From my own encounters, I’ve learned that introducing change can sometimes be met with resistance, especially when people are attached to the comfort of the familiar.

Denise remarked, “A catsuit is designed to conceal everything. We wanted to break the mold and go for a more edgy and uncovered look instead. Halle Berry made headlines by donning a bikini in her Bond film, so we thought, why not do something similar?”

Based on my personal perspective, I’ve seen some truly outrageous reactions from people regarding that particular costume design. But let me tell you, we weren’t just winging it! We had the brilliant and renowned Colleen Atwood on board to make it happen. Halle Berry herself was an active participant in the creative process. In my opinion, even if some may find it silly, I still think it’s a refreshingly modern take on costume design. With my years of experience in the industry, I’ve learned that pushing boundaries and taking risks can lead to truly innovative results.

Halle added, “Fans expressed disappointment over the costume. We thought, instead of continually rehashing Catwoman, why not try new approaches and offer unique spins on the character?”

“It perfectly matched my interpretation of her, my physique, my identity, and my preferences.”

Berry pondered more over assuming the part of the superheroine in the movie helmed by Pitof. “I’ve always found the concept of Catwoman rescuing women from a facial cream to be somewhat gentler than I imagined,” she mused.

‘All the other superheroes save the world; they don’t just save women from cracked faces.’

In her own words, she admitted, “I understood that role was somewhat weak for a superhero back then, but given where I was professionally and lacking both the clout and confidence to push back, I reluctantly complied.”

Regarding the filming of the movie, Halle commented that it went efficiently and added that it was an enjoyable experience.

I truly enjoyed every moment of that experience. I put in an incredible amount of effort to bring a feline character to life, both mentally and physically.

“I didn’t expect things to go wrong, I only assumed that since the story’s stakes weren’t enormously high, it wouldn’t seem as impactful as other films,” Sarah Ross (The Call actress) explained further.

Prior to assuming the main part in “Catwoman” in 2004, Halle Berry featured in the 2001 film, titled “Monster’s Ball.” The subsequent year, she was awarded an Oscar for Best Actress because of her remarkable acting in that production.

In an interview conducted in 2021, Halle admitted her desire to helm a new version of Catwoman’s DC Comics movie, despite the previous iteration underperforming financially.

She expressed her enthusiasm to Direct Catwoman to Jake’s Takes during an interview with IndieWire at one point. Later on, she voiced her regret over not being able to reshape and re-direct Catwoman with current knowledge. In simpler terms, she wished she had the chance to direct Catwoman again knowing what she knows now.

After the news broke that Berry had left the Hulu show “All’s Fair,” led by Kim Kardashian, her more recent conversation ensued.

Last week, I heard the news that Berry and Glenn Close, both 77 years old, are set to appear alongside the reality star-turned-actress Kardashian, who is 43, on the upcoming series.

Yet, according to a recent publication by Variety, Berry has decided to withdraw from the project because of scheduling issues.

If she had gotten this role, it would have been one of only a few prominent TV parts in her impressive resume, coming after her work on the CBS science fiction show Extant, which aired for two seasons from 2014 to 2015.

At present, it’s undecided who will take over Berry’s role in the show, and her character identity remains a mystery.

It was planned for her to produce the project in addition to acting, but her decision to withdraw from acting may change this arrangement.

During the latest run of “The Kardashians” on Hulu, it was disclosed that Ryan Murphy, the mastermind behind “American Horror Story,” approached Kris Jenner at her residence to propose a new project for her, following her appearance in “AHS: Delicate.”

The announcement of the new series came in December, marking the first production under Murphy’s recent contract with Disney.

In an engaging narrative, the series will depict Kim as a prominent divorce attorney based in Los Angeles, leading a thriving women-only law firm.

The production will draw inspiration from Laura Wasser, the real-life attorney for the Kardashians, who handled their divorces from Kanye West and Kris Humphries.

Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Bakan are the creators of “All’s Fair.”

The Kardashian matriarch and manager Kris Jenner, along with Murphy, will team up with Baitz and Baken as executive producers. Additionally, Jamie Pachino, Laura Greene, and Richard Levine will contribute as writers and executive producers.

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2024-07-19 15:11