Halle Berry reflects on Catwoman backlash, “I hated that it got all put on me”

Halle Berry just lately chatted with Entertainment Weekly to have fun Catwoman‘s twentieth birthday and shared that she’s by no means preferred being the one one blamed for the film’s poor reception. The infamous comedian guide movie bombed on the field workplace, and Berry gained a Razzie for her appearing. She famously confirmed up on the occasion along with her Oscar in hand to simply accept the award for worst efficiency.

“I felt prefer it was Halle Berry’s failure, however I did not make it alone,” Berry advised the publication. “All these years, I’ve completely carried it.”

“Catwoman” hit theaters on July 23, 2003, to dangerous evaluations, with many critics agreeing it was one of many worst comedian guide motion pictures ever. The movie, directed by Pitof, starred Berry as Persistence Phillips, a shy cosmetics firm employee who dies and comes again as Catwoman. Berry was eager on doing the movie as a result of it was pitched as a complete reimagining of the Catwoman character, however from the beginning she wasn’t thrilled with the story, which has Catwoman trying right into a lethal cosmetics magnificence line.

“I all the time thought the thought of Catwoman saving ladies from a face cream felt a bit smooth,” Berry stated to Leisure Weekly. “All the opposite superheroes save the world; they do not simply save ladies from cracked faces. I all the time knew that was a smooth superhero plight, however at the moment in my profession, I did not have the company I’ve in the present day or perception that I may problem that, so I went together with it.”

Berry stated “issues went easily [for me]” throughout filming and “it was a fantastic shoot,” including: “I had the time of my life. I labored my ass off to embody a cat in so some ways, psychologically and bodily. I by no means thought it went awry; I simply thought that perhaps it would not really feel as massive as different motion pictures as a result of the plot stakes aren’t as excessive.”

The temper round Catwoman began to shift when a set picture leaked on-line exhibiting Berry’s costume, which comedian guide followers criticized for not being true to the character. The film swapped out the character’s iconic catsuit (made well-known on display by Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton‘s Batman Returns) for a extra revealing outfit.

“That was the very first thing that began the negativity,” producer Denise Di Novi advised EW. “It was an early shot earlier than we might perfected it. It was so totally different than what folks have been used to within the different film. A catsuit, by definition, every thing is roofed up. We thought it might be cool to be extra rock & roll and naked. Halle was well-known for carrying a bikini in her Bond film, and we have been like, why not? Folks had such a response to it, which is so ridiculous. We had the well-known Colleen Atwood serving to us with simply that costume. Halle had a whole lot of enter. I nonetheless assume it is cool and much more trendy!”

Berry added, “Followers have been upset in regards to the swimsuit. It was one thing totally different, however in our minds, why maintain remaking Catwoman in the event you’re not going to take dangers and convey one thing totally different to it? The sweetness was that it was higher fitted to my model of her, my physique, who I used to be, and my sensibilities.”

Catwoman did not win over any followers when it lastly opened in theaters. Critics piled on the movie, with Variety writing in its personal overview: “Warner Bros. plummets to the dimmest recesses of popcorn inanity with Catwoman, which, even by the requirements of comedian guide variations, requires a suspension of disbelief absolutely past most audiences.

“I did not love [the backlash],” Berry advised EW in regards to the response. “Being a Black lady, I am used to carrying negativity on my again, combating, being a fish swimming upstream on my own. I am used to defying stereotypes and making a means out of no means…It did not derail me as a result of I’ve fought as a Black lady my entire life. Somewhat dangerous publicity a couple of film? I did not find it irresistible, however it wasn’t going to cease my world or derail me from doing what I like to do.”

“I hated that it bought all placed on me, and I hate that, to today, it is my failure,” Berry later added. “I do know I can carry it. I nonetheless have a profession 20 years later. It is simply a part of my story. That is okay, and I’ve carried different failures and successes. Folks have opinions, and generally they’re louder than others. You simply must maintain transferring.”

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