‘Still… MEOW’: Halle Berry Celebrates Catwoman’s 20th Anniversary; Says Playing Iconic Role Was An ‘Honor’

Reflecting on the role

In her post, Berry didn’t only reminisce about the movie anniversary; it served as an opportunity for her to ponder over her experience playing Catwoman in that film. Released in theaters on July 23, 2004, the movie featured Berry portraying Patience Phillips, a talented artist who morphs into the iconic feline superhero. Despite earning $82.4 million worldwide against an investment of $100 million, and receiving a meager 8 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds significance in Berry’s career journey.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: The film didn’t set the world on fire with its performance, but it discovered a devoted fanbase who truly appreciated it. And I can relate, having turned 57 not too long ago, I looked back on my experience making that movie in an interview for Entertainment Weekly. I opened up about how the criticism during that period took a toll on me.

She expressed that she wasn’t fond of the criticism, “as a Black woman, I’m accustomed to challenging stereotypes and creating opportunities from seemingly insurmountable situations…” The negative publicity about the film didn’t please her, but it wouldn’t halt her world or prevent her from pursuing her passions.

The future of Catwoman

Berry has suggested a possibility of reprising her role as Catwoman in the future. Given the current trend of actors revisiting their iconic characters, there’s a good chance we’ll see Berry wearing the Catwoman costume once more.

Berry’s portrayal of Catwoman significantly contributed to her growth both as an actor and as a prominent figure. Despite facing adversity through criticisms, she channeled this energy into advancing further in her acting profession.

Indeed, in honoring Berry’s impact, Camren Bicondova and Lili Simms from Gotham paid her a heartfelt tribute. Bicondova admired Berry’s courage and elegance on screen. She acknowledged that Berry tackled her roles with dedication and paved the way for others to follow suit. Simmons shared that witnessing Berry as Catwoman served as an empowering influence for young girls, demonstrating that they too could embody action heroines.

Halle Berry’s newfound love for cats

Berry revealed that her time portraying Catwoman ignited her affinity for felines. Prior to this role, she identified as a dog lover. Now, she has fully embraced her new identity as a cat enthusiast, all thanks to the movie and her encounter with these creatures. In her heartfelt message, Berry acknowledged Jee’s kindness in saving the two black cats that appeared in her anniversary photo.