With 80 years of history at her back, Catwoman headlines her own animated movie for the very first time in Catwoman: Hunted. Directed by Shinsuke Terasawa, the anime-style film follows Selina Kyle’s attempt to steal a priceless emerald, a heist which puts her squarely in the crosshairs of a powerful consortium of villains, Interpol, and Batwoman. Starring Elizabeth Gillies in the titular role and Stephanie Beatriz as Kate Kane, Hunted is a stylish and contemporary look at one of DC’s most famous characters.
Ahead of the film’s release, STARBURST had the pleasure of speaking with Catwoman herself, Elizabeth Gillies, about putting her own stamp on such an iconic character.
What was on your mind when you first approached the role of Selina Kyle?
Elizabeth Gillies: I made sure to do my research before I started. I watched everything from Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt from the Batman series, all the way to some of the animated 90s stuff. And then, the Catwoman that I grew up with and gravitated most towards was Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. That ended up being my biggest influence when it came to putting my stamp on it. But I did make sure to pay attention to the script and how it differs from all previous Catwoman stories. I think I put my own spin on it, and I’m happy with how it came out. It was such a fun script. I don’t think we’ve seen Catwoman quite like this before.
What was it about Michelle Pfeiffer’s iteration that resonated with you?
Elizabeth Gillies: I loved the journey that her character goes on, I loved how she was able to play so many different sides to Catwoman, and just how interesting and electric, and strong she was. And I loved her voice. I’m a big Michelle Pfeiffer fan and I just felt that movie was so fun.
To me, she really embodied who Catwoman was, even though everyone’s done their own thing. Though I have to say, watching the old ones, Eartha Kitt was pretty extraordinary. The through line between all these women is that they’re confident, strong, sexy, badass women. And funny, too, which I think is important.
It feels like that humour and the way Catwoman plays with her sexuality really defined your spin on the character.
Elizabeth Gillies: Yeah, I think that those are two things that I have played a lot with in my career, with characters that I’ve played. I identified with that side of Catwoman. This film has a noir spin on it, with a really interesting jazz score, and it’s just a story told in a different way. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t put a little bit of Old Hollywood in there; it gave me the opportunity to play around and take it in a new direction while keeping all of Catwoman’s most famous traits.
You put on this almost Mae West-esque voice that really adds to the feel of the film.
Elizabeth Gillies: Mae West was actually one of the people I was thinking of when I was voicing her, so thank you.
Aside from the character’s iconic status, what drew you most to the script?
Elizabeth Gillies: I was so excited to do anything in the DC world. I’ve been a fan for a long time. And I was honoured that they asked me to voice Catwoman’s first feature that was entirely her own. It was a big opportunity for me in that way, just because I honour and respect this community so much, and the legacy that it holds. That immediately drew me in. Then the script was really interesting, and dynamic and fun. There are so many Easter eggs, so many villains that pop up, so many surprises that fans will be super excited for.
Another aspect of the film that feels completely new is the developing relationship between Catwoman and Batwoman. What were you most excited for in their dynamic?
Elizabeth Gillies: I was really excited when I read the script and saw how they were really delving into their relationship. The two have such an interesting dynamic; although Catwoman uses her sexuality to manipulate others in a very cavalier way, she has a thing with Batwoman. There’s something there that intrigues her, and she likes to press her buttons. There’s something more there than the usual games.
We do get a couple scenes in this film where we really see them get close and we definitely play with more mature tones, which is exciting and cool.
And Batwoman does really bring out Catwoman’s softer side, which must have been interesting for you to play.
Elizabeth Gillies: Definitely. With a character as raw and archetypal as Catwoman, it’s nice to see her have those quieter, more vulnerable moments when she lets down her walls. We get to see those different sides to her.
Greg Weissman floated the possibility of a sequel or maybe even a trilogy. If that were to happen, what aspects of the character would you really like to explore further?
Elizabeth Gillies: I’d like to see her in a whole new world, a whole new environment. I’d like to see her interact with new people, maybe even Batman. I’d be very down to do another film, I had so much fun. I love animation and the script is wonderful. Sky’s the limit, and I would love to do another one. I hope the fans love it.
You mention bringing Batman in, in the future. Why was it important that he be left out of the first film?
Elizabeth Gillies: I feel like she’s always had this connection to him, and maybe stood in his shadow. I think that giving her an animated movie of her own and letting her tell her story, and for her to be the focus was good. She didn’t need to be anybody’s sidekick, and if we did bring someone else in to be her foil, then it was going to be a woman. It’s a strong, female-led film, and I love it.
When you were first approached, were you surprised to learn that this was the first time Catwoman was getting her own animated movie?
Elizabeth Gillies: Yeah, the first in 80 years. I was very surprised and thought that maybe I’d read it wrong, so I went and checked. I don’t really understand it. She’s so beloved and such a famous character with such a huge fan based, so I was really surprised. On the other hand, I’m happy to do it!
Catwoman: Hunted releases on Blu-Ray and DVD February 7th, and on Digital Download February 8th.
Read our interview with Catwoman: Hunted writer Greg Weisman here.
