Michelle Pfeiffer, 67, Once Explained Her Catwoman Role — And Why It Was Bound To Rule Hollywood

Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in Batman Returns is still considered one of the greatest portrayals of the character, and for good reason. When she stepped into the role of Selina Kyle in 1992, she didn’t just play a comic book villain, she created a version of Catwoman that has lasted in pop culture for over thirty years.

Pfeiffer took over the role after Annette Bening left due to pregnancy and turned a last-minute casting change into a career-defining performance, as reported by multiple film sources.

To prepare, Pfeiffer threw herself into intense training. She studied martial arts, yoga, and gymnastics to move with the agility and grace of a cat. She even practiced with a bullwhip for four hours a day and performed most of her own stunts on set. One behind-the-scenes moment became legendary: she used the whip to take out four mannequin heads in a single, unedited shot.

Director Tim Burton was impressed, saying she could perform complex fight sequences on sloped rooftops in four-inch heels better than her stunt doubles. Pfeiffer also trained her voice to create a broken, almost haunted tone that reflected Selina’s tragic side.

MICHELLE PFEIFFER talking about her approach to the character of Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992).pic.twitter.com/8lJ7DEW0xA

— All The Right Movies (@ATRightMovies) February 11, 2026

The role was not without discomfort. Pfeiffer has described being vacuum packed into the tight, stitched-together patent leather costume, which made it hard to breathe, hear, or even go to the restroom. Despite this, she has always loved the character and has said she would consider returning if the right opportunity came along.

Her work paid off immediately. Batman Returns grossed over $267 million worldwide and critics praised Pfeiffer’s performance. Premiere magazine famously noted that she brought s** to the normally neutered franchise in a way no other actress had done. Her fierce, growling, whip-wielding Catwoman became an instant icon.

Even now, Michelle Pfeiffer continues to shine in the industry. She stars in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Margo’s Got Money Troubles, premiering April 15, 2026. She plays Shyanne, the mother of Elle Fanning’s character, and works alongside Nicole Kidman and Nick Offerman. The series, created by David E. Kelley, marks her first professional collaboration with her husband and has already generated buzz at its SXSW premiere.

Pfeiffer also recently starred in the Amazon MGM holiday comedy Oh. What. Fun. released in late 2025. She plays Claire Clauster, a mother trying to organize the perfect Christmas. Acting alongside Felicity Jones and Chloë Grace Moretz, she showed her talent for leading a large ensemble cast with both humor and heart.

Looking ahead, Pfeiffer is set to star and executive produce The Madison, a Yellowstone spinoff that explores grief and human connection in the American West. Whether playing a grieving widow or a whip-cracking antihero, she continues to approach every role with dedication and precision.

Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman is still celebrated because she combined physical skill, psychological depth, and undeniable charisma. She transformed a comic book character into a cultural icon, and she remains one of Hollywood’s most versatile and committed actors.

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