Slip-ups aren’t uncommon, and the filmmaking space is no stranger to that. This is especially the case with Anne Hathaway, who auditioned for Harley Quinn, only to realize it was Catwoman’s role.
The actress shared this lore recently and how this flub landed her the role in ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’ It also remains one of the most nuanced, substantial, and witty portrayals of the character, and here’s how!
Anne Hathaway’s Harley Quinn Slip-up Audition
In a conversation with BBC’s Radio 1, Anne Hathaway was asked about the Harley Quinn audition. She responded to it enthusiastically and narrated the entire story, saying:
“That was the initial meeting with Chris, and I came in, and I had this lovely Vivienne Westwood kind of beautiful but kind of mad tailoring top with like stripes going everywhere, and I wore these like flat kind of Joker-looking shoes.“
It isn’t impossible to imagine that Hathaway would have nailed the character. This is true with her spot-on aesthetic since the Vivienne Westwood clothing choice is pretty bang-on!
The designer, after all, is known for her avant-garde punk, maximalist, and bold statement designs, be it jewelry, clothing, or even accessories.
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For Hathaway, however, the news was a bolt from the blue and, most importantly, quite an embarrassing moment. She joked about the chaotic smiles and how she practiced the maniacal laughter for the role.
“I was just kind of trying to give Chris like these chaotic little smiles, and then about an hour into the meeting, goes well. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but it’s Catwoman, and I was like, shifting into a different gear right now, okay, whistling. I love my shirt, but not right now, we’re slinky.”
The embarrassment is completely understandable; however, it did not, by any means, deter her performance. Her role as Selina Kyle is impeccable, praiseworthy, noteworthy, and memorable to this date.
The Nuanced, Substantial, And Witty Catwoman
One of the reasons why Anne Hathaway’s portrayal of Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, works so well is how she approaches it.
It also has to do with Christopher Nolan’s artistic vision of not reducing the character to a mere femme fatale. The character, thus, becomes a tour de force for many reasons.
Seline Kyle, for starters, is a witty, street-smart, and substantial lady. She may be a con artist, but she most definitely isn’t your run-of-the-mill thief. This is true for her intentions, moral ambiguity, and how flawed she is as a character.
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While past portrayals positioned her as a sensual and feral figure, Nolan’s adaptation grounds the character in a more realistic space. She is nuanced, smart, intelligent, and moves from a space of balance.
Think Audrey Hepburn, but in a superhero universe. Catwoman surely mastered the art of elegance, and Hathaway most certainly elevates that very aura.
It is also interesting how the movie simply doesn’t reduce her to a sidepiece and Wayne’s love interest. Rather, it gives more weight and gravitas to her performance as a whole, and it is surely impressive!
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