As a filmmaker who has been around for more than two decades, I can confidently say that creating a movie is like giving birth to a child – you pour your heart and soul into it, hoping for the best but sometimes getting the worst in return. Such was the case with my 2004 film, ‘Catwoman‘, a project I hold near and dear to my heart despite the harsh criticisms it received.
2004 saw superhero movies tread a unique path before the inception of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with “Iron Man” in 2008. Before then, comic book adaptations were played on a different field where studios took chances on lesser-known characters from Marvel and DC, such as The Punisher, Blade, X-Men, and Catwoman. Some of these films became iconic comic book movie classics, while others were either overlooked or later revived in movies like “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” having been sidelined in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s realm, referred to as The Void.
In simpler terms, comic book adaptations used to follow different guidelines compared to what we see today. This becomes apparent when you rewatch movies like “Catwoman,” released on July 19, 2004, or celebrate anniversaries. Starring Oscar winner Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”), “Catwoman” was a part of the DC universe. Movies such as “Venom” and “Joker” – interestingly, both won their lead actors Oscars – share similarities with “Catwoman,” as they focus on popular comic book villains without including the main superhero in the storyline. Unlike Selina Kyle, Berry portrayed Patience Phillips, an employee at a cosmetics company who clashed with Laurel Hedare (Sharon Stone) and gained cat-like abilities.
1. The film was poorly received, receiving heavy criticism upon its premiere, scoring just 8% on Rotten Tomatoes. Infamously, Catwoman won Worst Picture and Worst Actress at the Razzie Awards. Despite this, Berry, graciously, attended the ceremony with her Oscar in hand – making for quite a humorous spectacle.
That speech is priceless. When you go back and rewatch Catwoman, though, you get a sense of style and vision that’s lacking from some of the cookie-cutter comic-book adaptations that STILL make it to theaters today. And while I think we’re about to go through a renaissance at both Marvel and DC thanks to studios heads Kevin Feige and James Gunn recalibrating what the superhero genre means, Catwoman serves as a reminder of the obstacles storytellers had to overcome to make the types of comic-book movies we get today.
To mark the anniversary of the “Catwoman” film, director Pitof recently had an exclusive chat with TopMob where they delved into the challenges faced during production, the movie’s lasting impact, and the significant role Halle Berry played in shaping this unique super-villain character.
‘The problem of the movie was the script.’
In the film industry, creatives often face a challenge where they’re given release dates and must rush to meet them no matter what obstacles arise. For instance, Pitof shared with TopMob that this was the case during the production of “Catwoman”. Despite thriving under the pressure of meeting deadlines, such tight timelines often required making unreasonable compromises, as Pitof recalls from his experience on the project.
Following the filming, assembling the movie proved challenging due to numerous changes that occurred during production. The puzzle pieces just wouldn’t fit correctly. Consequently, we needed to overhaul the entire edit, flipping scenes and incorporating fresh scenes. To make matters worse, we had a last-minute 10-day reshoot only a month before the release date! Incredibly, this was done to address minor script issues. Hence, I didn’t get the chance for a director’s cut; instead, it became more about finding solutions – ‘How can we fix it?’
Any film director will confirm that making significant changes to a flawed script during post-production is nearly impossible. The script serves as the movie’s blueprint. If it has cracks, the entire production is based on an unstable foundation and is likely to collapse. As Pitof explained to TopMob, the film ‘Catwoman’ started shooting with an incomplete script. Had he more time, he would have focused on perfecting the script instead. In his words:
The main issue with the film, as I see it, was the script. It had gone through numerous revisions, and even during the shooting, it wasn’t complete. We continued revising the script while editing. If I had an extra six months, I would have used that time before production, not after.
A significant portion of Pitof’s work focused on creating Halle Berry’s Catwoman costume.
‘I want to see skin.’
To ensure your superhero character makes an impact on-screen, it’s crucial to design the costume effectively. When evaluating the most stylish comic book costumes in film, we considered a balance between accuracy to the comics, practicality, and aesthetics. In the case of Catwoman, Pitof had to create a cat suit that could rival the iconic version worn by Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns.
According to Pitof, his initial focus when designing Halle Berry’s costume was to expose as much skin as suitable.
Instead of sticking with the conventional Catwoman outfit, we aimed for something different. The initial consensus was to focus on a design that would expose more skin compared to other costumes. When they asked me about my vision for the costume, I responded by expressing my desire for an appearance that emphasized skin and conveyed a more animalistic vibe. Although it includes leather, the overall design is a blend of leather and bare skin.
With the costume ready and our talented cast assembled – featuring Benjamin Bratt, Lambert Wilson, Frances Conroy, and Sharon Stone – director Pitof embarked on his journey, striving to produce something fresh and original, unrelated to anything that came before.
‘The villain was the cosmetic industry.’
In one of the earliest films to portray a renowned DC villain without their primary hero (Batman, in this case), Catwoman took center stage. However, when Matt Reeves’ The Batman brought together Batman and Catwoman, Zoe Kravitz donned the role. When I inquired about the possibility of incorporating Batman in Pitof’s movie, even in a brief appearance, the director shared that such a discussion never occurred.
We declined because it was the initial setup. Our goal was to remove Catwoman from Batman’s grasp. We aimed for a clean slate. There were no other DC characters available, or else we would have introduced more. Our aim was truly to start anew with Catwoman and introduce new antagonists. Therefore, the focus was on aesthetics. The adversary was the cosmetics sector. It was more about a concept than a single villain.
Pitof never got to build on Catwoman. And he confirmed that they never had any conversations about a sequel, even during filming. Little did he know, the reception to the movie would have crushed those dreams at the onset.
‘You get punched in the face.’
According to reports, the movie titled “Catwoman” was met with harsh criticism upon its release. Notably, Roger Ebert added it to his list of most disliked films, and specifically criticized the director in a review he penned.
It might be beneficial for director Pitof, who has two given names, to consider using his other name on his next project.
Instead of asking directly, I inquired from Pitof about his thoughts on contacting the critics who mercilessly panned his film, to which he responded honestly:
Indeed, it would have been wonderful to engage in that activity. However, when faced with an insurmountable obstacle like a wall, there’s little one can do, except perhaps maintain strength. Violence, in such situations, seems fruitless and senseless. It only leads to retaliation, whether it be a blow to the face or the stomach, leaving one powerless to change the situation.
It’s important to note that I didn’t imply Catwoman was redeemed in any sense. Halle Berry, in her Razzies speech, criticized the movie. However, she has since expressed regret over her role as Catwoman and stated if given a chance to revisit one character from her career, it would be this one. She feels the film didn’t receive fair treatment. Pitof, the director, echoes this sentiment in an interview with TopMob.
It’s clearly not right for her, nor for the movie, and certainly not for everyone involved. When someone pours their heart and soul into a project, only to be met with criticism and harsh words, it’s evidently undeserved. This seems self-evident to me, as I wholeheartedly concur.
It’s worth noting that, twenty years on, discussions about Catwoman continue to be relevant in our broader cultural dialogue. This suggests that the movie has endured and retained its significance, even as we eagerly await new DC productions.
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2024-08-30 17:09