Currently the third-highest-grossing film of 2022, The Batman primarily pits the Dark Knight against the Riddler, but it also features other important Gotham citizens such as the Penguin, Alfred Pennyworth, and Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. The female antihero, portrayed by Zoë Kravitz, is one of the nicest surprises to come out of The Batman.

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The Batman's Selina Kyle is a tridimensional character with a robust storyline. Additionally, she's portrayed to perfection by Zoë Kravitz, who manages to capture Catwoman's feline mannerisms and the sheer intensity of her relationship with Bruce Wayne. This makes Selina feel like the very same Catwoman from the comic books. No wonder many have dubbed this mysterious character the best Catwoman in film history so far.

10 How Catwoman Is Different From The Comics

Catwoman New 52 cover as Catbird

In The Batman, Selina Kyle is crime boss Carmine Falcone's daughter with a woman named María. She's a mysterious cat burglar/waitress in the Iceberg Lounge who meets Batman while searching for her missing roommate. Conceived as an antihero, Selina forces Bruce to question his radical ideas on good and evil. Even though they partner up in the movie, she leaves the city at the end after telling Bruce that Gotham will never change.

Since her first appearance in 1940, the comics have depicted many different versions of Selina. For instance, not all Catwomen have been related to Carmine Falcone. In addition to being a burglar, she has also been a flight attendant, a mother, and even a dominatrix. All these depictions whether in films or comics share certain traits, such as an ambiguous morality that disputes Batman's self-righteous ideas and beget a love-hate relationship with the hero.

9 More Than Half A Dozen Actresses Auditioned For Catwoman

Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle and Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman

Eiza González (Baby Driver), Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Zazie Beetz (Joker), and Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones) are only a few actresses who screen-tested for the role of Catwoman before Zoë Kravitz snatched up the part thanks to her chemistry with Robert Pattinson.

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This casting decision proved to be the right choice. Now that The Batman is out, many critics have praised Kravitz's acting skills, and even other celebrity icons, such as Taylor Swift and Anne Hathaway (a former Catwoman herself), have shown vocal support for Kravitz's amazing work in the film.

8 Catwoman Is Batman's Counterpart In Many Ways

Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle in The Batman

According to Matt Reeves, Selina and Bruce's dynamic relies heavily on their contrasts. They're both interested in bringing the bad guys to justice. However, their upbringings are particularly different. While Selina is the daughter of a rich man, she didn't grow up with money, which places her on the opposite end of the billionaire orphan spectrum.

Although Bruce believes Selina is corrupt, Selina thinks Bruce is spoiled. Due to their differences, Selina constantly pushes Bruce to challenge himself, which makes her pivotal for Batman's character development. Now that a sequel to The Batman has been confirmed, fans are wondering if Kravitz will appear in the next film(s). Only time will tell.

7 Zoë Kravitz Drank Milk Like A Cat To Prepare For Catwoman

Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman

In March 2022, Zoë Kravitz guest-starred on The Tonight Show where she spoke about her role as CatwomanShe confessed that, in order to understand cats, she drank milk from a bowl. Additionally, she hung out with cats a lot during what she referred to as "cat time" while filming The Batman, which led her to understand these creatures better.

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Naturally, Kravitz underwent rigorous training for The Batman and combined different fighting techniques with yoga and capoeira. She also watched footage of lions and tigers fighting to incorporate their moves into Selina's fighting style to properly convey Catwoman's feline energy.

6 Selina Kyle's Long Unpolished Nails Were Zoë Kravitz's Idea

catwoman caressing the batman's face

Instead of allowing the costume design department to provide her newly acquired Catwoman claws, Zoë Kravitz grew out her real nails for the role in the name of realism. In fact, it was her idea for Selina to have long nails without any polish on them because it would make them look scarier and more similar to cat claws.

According to Kravitz herself, Matt Reeves always made sure the actors felt comfortable when speaking their minds about the path that The Batman was taking. This friendly, collaborative environment paid off, turning The Batman into one of the best superhero films of the decade.

5 Zoë Kravitz Is The Third African-American Actress To Play Catwoman

eartha kitt, zoe kravits and halle berry as catwoman

Since Zoë Kravitz is of African-American and Jewish descent, The Batman marks the third time that an African-American Actress has portrayed Selina Kyle/Catwoman in a live-action TV series or film. Before Kravitz, two other actresses brought a POC Selina to life.

Everyone remembers Halle Berry's incarnation of the character in Catwoman, the 2004 solo film directed by Jean-Christophe "Pitof" Comar. And 36 years before Berry, the late Eartha Kitt starred as Catwoman in the third and final season of the 60s Batman series after Julie Newmar left the role.

4 This Isn't Zoë Kravitz's First Time Around The Batman Universe

Batman and his family in the batplane in The LEGO Batman Movie.

The Batman isn't the first time that Zoë Kravitz plays a character in the Batman Universe. It isn't even the first time she stars as Catwoman in a film. In 2017, she lent her voice to The Lego Batman Movie, in which she played a minor role as a different and much funnier — iteration of Catwoman.

Of course, this is nothing but a huge coincidence. By the time The Lego Batman Movie was planned in October 2014, Matt Reeves' The Batman wasn't even an idea. Regardless, this piece of trivia sets the ground for many jokes about the DC Multiverse.

3 Catwoman Is Bisexual Like In The Comics

Catwoman-and-Eiko-Kissing

In a scene from The Batman, Selina arrives at her apartment looking for her roommate, Annika, whom she calls "baby." This led the viewers to assume a romantic relationship between both women. When Matt Galea, a Pedestrian journalist questioned Zoë Kravitz about this, the actress said "that's definitely the way [she] interpreted that," confirming her take on Catwoman's sexuality.

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While this is the first time Catwoman has been depicted as a bisexual woman on the big screen, Selina Kyle has been out and proud in the comics since the 2015 run, Catwoman, by Genevieve Valentine. In the 39th issue of this story, Selina shared a kiss with Eiko Hasigawa, who held the Catwoman mantle at the time. Additionally, this story portrays Catwoman as a tomboyish woman, always wearing suits and shorter hairstyles.

2 This Isn't Catwoman's First Live-Action Adaptation

Zoë Kravitz juxtaposed with Michelle Pfeiffer and Hally Berry as Catwoman

The Batman marks the fifth time that a live-action version of Catwoman has appeared on film. Before Kravitz took on the iconic role, Lee Meriwether portrayed Catwoman in Batman (1966), Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns (1992), Halle Berry in Catwoman (2004), and Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

In addition to these five films, Selina Kyle has also appeared in the 60s Batman series, portrayed by both Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt, and in Gotham, played by Camren Bicondova (as a teen version of the antihero) and Lili Simmons (a slightly older version of the character). Catwoman has also had cameos in Birds of Prey, Batwoman, and Titans.

1 She's Never Referred To As Catwoman In The Film

The Batman poster featuring Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman

Since the moment it was announced that Zoë Kravitz had been chosen for a role in The Batman, everyone has referred to her character as Catwoman. She's even credited as the actress who plays Selina Kyle/Catwoman. However, Selina is never referred to as Catwoman in the film.

Maybe this is just a coincidence, but it's more likely that Selina Kyle has yet to officially adopt the moniker. After all, in the comics, she chooses her name as an homage to her father's pet store, finding kinship with these creatures. Hopefully, in future installments, Reeves, et al. will explore Selina's character further, and show the moment she officially becomes Catwoman.

NEXT: 10 Great Movies Starring The Cast Of The Batman