Batman (1966–1968)

Catwoman appears in Batman (1966), portrayed by Julie Newmar in the first and second seasons, Eartha Kitt in the third season, and Lee Meriwether in the series' film adaptation.^[1] All three Catwoman incarnations are described by comic writer, Marc Andreyko, in an afterword to a Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77 omnibus, as being akin to a "Darrin-in-Bewitched bit of silent recasting" and his colleague, co-writer Jeff Parker, liked how their story "leaves no one out and the readers got it immediately", thus reflecting how the change of actress was never specifically addressed.^[2] In the TV series, Catwoman was given neither a background nor an alter ego, but focused instead on her costumed aspects. The costume created for the series was similar to the green catsuit appearing in the comics at the time, though it was constructed by Newmar from black Lurex fabric. One of these costumes tailored for Newmar is part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.^[3]

Due to other commitments, Newmar was unavailable for the tie-in film produced after the first season, and for the series' third season.^[4] An uncredited body double played the role in a cameo in "The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra", the series' penultimate episode.

Birds of Prey

Catwoman appears in Birds of Prey, portrayed by Casey Elizabeth Easlick. This version is a metahuman with cat-like abilities and the mother of Huntress who was previously killed by Clayface.

Gotham

Selina Kyle appears in Gotham, portrayed by Camren Bicondova as a child^[5] and Lili Simmons as an adult.^[6] She is initially depicted as a 13-year-old thief and orphan who lives on the streets of Gotham City. In the series' pilot episode, she witnesses the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne.^[7] She forms a tenuous alliance with GCPD Detective Jim Gordon after he saves her from kidnappers working for the Dollmaker.^[8] She promises to help him solve the Wayne murders if he helps her get out of trouble with the law. Gordon arranges for her to stay at Wayne Manor, where she befriends the young Bruce Wayne.^[9] She saves him from a gang of hired killers and gives him his first kiss.^[10] Throughout the rest of the series, Selina overcomes her insecurities and develops a love-hate relationship with Bruce while helping him keep order in Gotham City, despite often butting heads with him due to her moral ambiguity.

Bicondova was cast to portray the teenaged Selina, assuming she was auditioning for a random role named "Lucy" and not finding out what the real role was until after she was selected. While she takes inspiration from previous Catwoman actresses Michelle Pfeiffer, Anne Hathaway and others, Bicondova wanted to portray a side of Selina Kyle not seen before, focusing on her past.^[11][5] As the series finale jumps ten years into the future from the rest of the series, Bicondova did not feel comfortable portraying her character as an adult, and at her request, an older actress was chosen to portray the adult Selina Kyle.^[12][13] Warner Bros. Television cast Lili Simmons in the role, with Simmons and Bicondova collaborating closely on the adult Selina's characterization.^[6]

Super Friends

Catwoman was originally supposed to be featured in the Challenge of the Superfriends season of Super Friends as a member of the Legion of Doom. However, due to The New Adventures of Batman being in development at the time, Catwoman was unable to appear in the series and was eventually replaced with Cheetah.^[14]

Filmation Batman series

Catwoman appears in The Batman/Superman Hour, voiced by Jane Webb. The character design and aspects adapted were similar to those used in the previous live-action television series: a focus on the character in costume, lack of a backstory, and use of the then-current green catsuit. Like the live action TV series, Catwoman behaved like many of her villainous counterparts (Joker, Riddler), by speaking in puns and hiring henchmen who wore outfits similar to hers.

Filmation returned to the character in 1977 for the animated series The New Adventures of Batman, where Catwoman was voiced by Melendy Britt.

DC Animated Universe

Catwoman appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), voiced by Adrienne Barbeau.^[15] A spin-off focused on the character was in production before being cancelled; it was reconsidered years later as a dual spin-off also focused on Nightwing.^[16]

The character design for Batman: The Animated Series is a long-haired blonde look (based on Michelle Pfeiffer's appearance) when Selina is not wearing her costume, and the costume itself is a predominately gray catsuit based on the costume used in Batman Returns as well, with long black gloves and boots. Along with a black portion of the mask, this gives the appearance of a seal-point Siamese cat. In The New Batman Adventures, Catwoman was redesigned to have an entirely black catsuit, light blue facial makeup, and short black hair.

The first series establishes Catwoman as a socialite and animal rights activist in addition to a costumed thief in the early appearances. The series plays somewhat on the relation between her and Batman. She had a crush on Batman, but tried to keep her distance between her and Bruce Wayne, even though they dated.

Catwoman also appears in the short featurette "Chase Me".

In Batman Beyond, Catwoman does not appear as her ultimate fate remains unknown. After the release of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, a second film with her as a main character was planned but ultimately scrapped.^[17]

The Batman

Catwoman appears in The Batman (2004), voiced by Gina Gershon.^[15] The character design used was based loosely on the then-current costume used in the comic books, through with blue eyes instead of green. This version is a charity fund raiser in her identity of Selina Kyle.

Batman Black and White

Catwoman appears in the Batman Black and White motion comics, voiced by Janyse Jaud.^[15]

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Catwoman appears in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, voiced by Nika Futterman.^[15]

DC Nation

Catwoman appears in the Batman of Shanghai shorts on the DC Nation block, voiced by Stephanie Sheh. This version is a Chinese thief who was active in Shanghai during the 1930s.

DC Super Hero Girls (web series)

Catwoman appears in DC Super Hero Girls (2015), voiced by Cristina Pucelli. This version is a student of Super Hero High.

Teen Titans Go!

Catwoman makes non-speaking cameo appearances in Teen Titans Go! with the exception of the episode "Jam", voiced by Katie Crown.

DC Super Hero Girls (TV series)

Catwoman appears in DC Super Hero Girls (2019), voiced by Cree Summer.^[15] This version is an African-American student of Metropolis High and the leader of the Super Villain Girls, along with Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Star Sapphire, Giganta and Livewire.

Harley Quinn

Catwoman appears in Harley Quinn, voiced by Sanaa Lathan.^[15] This version is of African-American descent and is said to be the "best burglar in all of Gotham". Introduced in the second-season episode, "Trapped", Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy recruit her to help them steal Firefly's flamethrower from Doctor Trap's booby-trapped museum. She succeeds in doing so, but betrays the two and leaves them to die. Despite this, she and Ivy appear to remain on good terms, as Catwoman later attended her bachelorette party in the episode "Bachelorette". In the second-season finale, "The Runaway Bridesmaid", Catwoman attends Ivy's wedding as a bridesmaid and with Tim Burton as her date. In the third season, Catwoman begins dating Bruce Wayne and living in his mansion, as Harley and her crew move into her apartment. However, she ends up breaking up with him due to unresolved issues stemming from his parents' murder. It is also revealed that she and Ivy had once hooked up, but the relationship ended when Ivy realizes Catwoman did not take the prospect of them being together seriously.

Batwheels

Catwoman appears in Batwheels, voiced by Gina Rodriguez.^[18]

Batman (1966)

The first feature film to include an adaptation of Catwoman was Batman, produced immediately after production of the first season of the 1966 television series. When the producers realized that Julie Newmar would be unavailable due to prior commitments, they cast Lee Meriwether to portray the character.^[4]

Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt, a television film which aired in 2003, was a semi-documentary of the production of the 1966 television series and film. It featured dramatizations one of which included Julia Rose portraying a young Julie Newmar on set in character as Catwoman. Newmar and Meriwether also appeared in the film.^[19][20]

Batman Returns (1992)

Catwoman appears in Batman Returns, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. Re-created by Daniel Waters, the character is based on the Selina Kyle from "Catwoman: Her Sister's Keeper".^[21] Other actresses including Madonna (who was the frontrunner for the role), Jennifer Beals, Lorraine Bracco and Demi Moore were all linked to the role, and actress Sean Young campaigned heavily to get it (even turning up to Warner Bros. Studios in a homemade Catwoman suit). When it was suggested to Tim Burton that Michelle Pfeiffer was interested, something clicked to the producers thinking "She's perfect. She also could be both Selina Kyle and Catwoman."^[22][23]

This version of Selina Kyle is depicted as a mousy, lonely and frustrated secretary of corrupt tycoon Max Shreck. After Selina accidentally discovers Shreck's plot to build a power plant that would steal Gotham's electricity, Shreck attempts to murder her by pushing her out the window of his top-story office. She survives the fall and is mysteriously revived by a group of alley cats that flock around her and begin gnawing at her fingers. When she returns home, she suffers a psychotic breakdown and becomes the more seductive and deadly Catwoman. As part of her larger plan to destroy Shreck, she allies herself with the Penguin, which attracts Batman's attention. Meanwhile, she begins a relationship with Bruce Wayne, at first not knowing that he is Batman. It's when she unknowingly helps Penguin frame Batman for a murder that her conscience resurfaces, with her quest for revenge gradually destroying her. At the climax of the film, Catwoman tries to kill Shreck. Although Shreck shoots her several times, he fails to kill her. She then kills Shreck by kissing him with a taser in her mouth while holding onto an exposed power cable. An explosion ensues, but afterwards, Batman finds only Shreck's charred corpse; Catwoman is not present. As the Bat-signal later shines in the night sky, a figure wearing Catwoman's outfit watches it from afar, suggesting that she has survived.

The film's interpretation of Catwoman derives heavily from the Pre-Crisis version of the character.^[24]

Prior to the announcement Michael Keaton will be reprising his role as Batman in The Flash,^[25] Pfeiffer previously stated a willingness and enthusiasm to reprise her own role as Catwoman.^[26][27] In a 2021 interview with Screen Rant, Pfeiffer stated that she would have been interested in reprising the role in The Flash, but she does not appear.^[28]

Aborted spin-off

Burton had no interest in returning to direct a sequel of Batman Returns, but was credited as producer.^[29] With Warner Bros. moving on development for Batman Forever in June 1993, a Catwoman spin-off was announced. Michelle Pfeiffer was to reprise her role, with the character not to appear in Forever because of her own spin-off.^[30]

Burton became attached as director, while producer Denise Di Novi and writer Daniel Waters also returned.^[31] In January 1994, Burton was unsure of his plans to direct Catwoman or an adaptation of "The Fall of the House of Usher".^[32] On June 16, 1995, Waters turned in his Catwoman script to Warner Bros., the same day that Batman Forever was released. Burton was still being courted to direct. Waters joked, "Turning it in the day Batman Forever opened may not have been my best logistical move, in that it's the celebration of the fun-for-the-whole-family Batman. Catwoman is definitely not a fun-for-the-whole-family script."^[33] In an August 1995 interview, Pfeiffer re-iterated her interest in the spin-off, but explained her priorities would be challenged as a mother and commitments to other projects.^[34] The film labored in development hell for years, with Pfeiffer replaced by Ashley Judd. The film ended up becoming the critically panned Catwoman (2004), starring Halle Berry.^[35][36]

Aborted Batman reboot

In 2000, Warner Bros. commissioned Darren Aronofsky for an adaptation of Batman: Year One to reboot the Batman franchise. The script featured an African-American Selina Kyle/Catwoman in a prominent role.^[37]

Catwoman (2004)

Catwoman appears in a self-titled film, portrayed by Halle Berry. This version is Patience Phillips, a graphic designer working for a cosmetics company called Hedare Beauty, which created an anti-aging skin cream called Beau-Line. However, as Patience visits the factory where it is being manufactured, she learns that the product has deadly side-effects. Laurel Hedare, the wife of the company's CEO, orders her killed. but she is mysteriously revived by Midnight, an Egyptian Mau cat, and granted cat-like abilities. Wearing a mask to disguise her identity, Patience becomes Catwoman to seek revenge against her murderers. Eventually, her search leads her to Hedare, who murders her husband and frames her for it. In the film's climactic fight scene between Hedare and Catwoman, Hedare falls to her death. Patience is cleared of murder charges, and decides to become Catwoman permanently.

The film alludes to other women who have been granted such cat-like abilities, particularly in a scene in which Patience is introduced to a series of photos of prior Catwomen, including Pfeiffer's Batman Returns version of Selina Kyle. It was poorly received by critics and audiences, and is commonly listed as one of the worst films ever made.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Catwoman appears in The Dark Knight Rises, portrayed by Anne Hathaway.^[38][39] Entertainment Weekly describes this version as an enigmatic, wily and witty con artist, as well as a high society grifter. Hathaway thought that she auditioned for Harley Quinn.^[40] She is depicted as a femme fatale antiheroine whose actions often blur ethical lines, similar to her portrayal in the comics. Other actresses considered for the role of Selina Kyle included Natalie Portman, Eva Green, Keira Knightley, Kate Mara, Gemma Arterton, Blake Lively, and Lady Gaga.

In the film, Selina Kyle is hired by corrupt businessman John Daggett to steal Bruce Wayne's fingerprints; Daggett in exchange promises to expunge her criminal record with a "Clean Slate" computer program, during which she meets and falls in love with Bruce. Bane subsequently uses Bruce's prints to attack Gotham City's stock exchange and bankrupt Bruce with bogus stock trades. She also steals the pearl necklace belonging to Bruce's deceased mother and takes a congressman hostage. After Daggett betrays her, Selina leads Batman to Bane's trap without realizing that Batman and Bruce are the same person. She attempts to flee Gotham, fearing that Bane's terrorist group will eventually kill her. John Blake arrests her for kidnapping and takes her to a male prison Blackgate Prison to await trial. She subsequently escapes when Bane takes control of Gotham and frees the prison's male inmates. When Batman returns to Gotham and offers her the "Clean Slate", she aids the Dark Knight in liberating Gotham City from Bane's chaos. With Selina's help, Batman rescues Lucius Fox. Using the Batpod, Selina destroys the blockade at the tunnel leading out of Gotham. During the battle, Selina kills Bane with the Batpod's grenade launcher and helps Batman destroy Talia al Ghul's convoy. At the end of the film, Bruce leaves the Batman mantle behind and enters a relationship with Selina. She is never referred to as "Catwoman" in the film, although she does receive the moniker in related The Dark Knight Rises merchandise. Instead, emphasis is made upon her profession as a "cat" burglar in headlines shown in the film; also, her safecracking goggles resemble cat ears when not in use.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Zack Snyder, the director of the film, wanted Carla Gugino to portray Selina Kyle / Catwoman in Batman v Superman. The scene was going to show a flashback to ten years ago, where Batman and she meet again, after he arrested her or had to let her go.^[41][42] Eliza Dushku (who voiced the character in Batman: Year One and DC Showcase: Catwoman) was also considered to portray Catwoman.^[43][44]

The Batman (2022)

Catwoman appears in The Batman, portrayed by Zoë Kravitz, who previously voiced her in The Lego Batman Movie.^[45][46] Zazie Beetz, Alicia Vikander, Ana de Armas, Ella Balinska and Eiza Gonzalez also auditioned for the role. This version of the character is the biological daughter of Carmine Falcone, born from an affair he had with her mother Maria, and works for him as a waitress at the Iceberg Lounge alongside her roommate Annika Koslov while moonlighting as a cat burglar. When she learns that Falcone murdered Annika due to her learning that he ratted out Sal Maroni to get him arrested, she attempts to kill him, but is stopped by Batman. She later helps Batman stop Riddler's plan to kill Gotham's newly elected mayor. Afterwards, she decides to leave Gotham, and warns Batman that Gotham will never change and his efforts to help it are futile before bidding him goodbye. She is never referred to as "Catwoman" in the film, but she calls herself the "Cat" in one scene and wears a mask with points like cat ears.^[47][48]