Hero Complex got the chance to hang out on the set of Christopher Nolan's third and final Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, and came away with an interview with Anne Hathaway and a description of a scene not shown in the first trailer. First, the scene description:

Gotham City is a war zone. A ruthless madman named Bane has ripped away any sense of security and the citizens, haggard and clutching suitcases with refugee anxiety, sit behind barbed wire waiting to see what will blow up next. A hooded prisoner is dragged in – it’s Bruce Wayne, one of Gotham’s most famous faces – but the eyes of the crowd go instead to the woman in black standing at the top of the staircase.

“Sorry to spoil things, boys, but Bane needs these guys himself,” says sultry Selina Kyle, played here by actress Anne Hathaway, navigating the steps with stiletto heels that, on closer inspection, turn out to have serrated edges capable of leaving nasty claw marks in a fight. She also wears high-tech goggles that, when not in use, flip up and resemble feline ears.

Hathaway went on to give a few more details about the costume, which sounds pretty utilitarian in its design. “I love the costume because everything has a purpose, nothing is in place for fantasy’s sake, and that’s the case with everything in Christopher Nolan’s Gotham City,” Hathaway said. The actress went on to credit Nolan for building such deep characters with detailed world views, which is reflected in her portrayal of Selina Kyle/Catwoman. And she knows pretty well, because she read through some of the character's earliest appearances.

“I really got into the comics after I was cast and I like that when she made her first appearance she meets Bruce Wayne and says ‘Let go of me or I’ll claw your eyes out,’ and he says, ‘Careful, claws in or papa spank,’” Hathaway said. “So I’m glad we’ve come a long way since then. I’m not saying anything against Bob Kane, though.”

While reading up on the character, Hathaway also looked at original Catwoman inspiration Hedy Lamarr as well as the other women who have played the character on screens big and small. “What’s come before doesn’t limit or even affect this new version,” Hathaway said. “It doesn’t affect me because each Catwoman – and this is true in the comics as well – she is defined by the context of the Gotham City created around her. Catwoman is so influenced by Gotham and whoever is creating Gotham at the time. Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman was informed by Tim Burton’s Gotham and Eartha Kitt was informed by Adam West’s Gotham. You have to live in whatever the reality of the world is and whatever Gotham is.”

The Dark Knight Rises, which stars new-to-the-franchise actors Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy as well as returning stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman, opens July 20.