BeforeHalle Berry’sCatwomanslinked into theaters 20 years ago, a photo of her top-secret catsuit leaked from the set.
“That was the first thing that started the negativity.
It was an early shot before wed perfected it.
Halle Berry’s ‘Catwoman’ suit.Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection
It was so different than what people were used to in the other movie.
A catsuit, by definition, everything is covered up.
“Halle was famous for wearing a bikini in herBondmovie, and we were like, why not?
Halle Berry in ‘Catwoman’.Everett
People hadsucha reaction to it, which is so ridiculous.
We had the famousColleen Atwoodhelping us with just that costume.
Halle had a lot of input.
I still think its cool and a lot more modern!”
Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection
Berry says she felt the negativity, too.
“Fans were upset about the suit.
“The beauty of doing it was because itwasntin theBatmanuniverse.
Men, historically, get to have big franchises that revolve around them,” says Berry.
“This was an opportunity to be forward-thinking, pushing that envelope for women.
Why cant we have our own superhero movie that revolves around us and our universe?”
The film alsowon Razziesfor Worst Picture and Worst Actress, with Berry showing up to accept her prize.
“The studio knew what I was going to do at the Razzies.
I told them I wanted to take the piss out of it and laugh at it.
I dont think its a God-awful film,” she explains.
“I wrote [that speech] within an inch of my life.
you could never take awaymy Oscar, no matter how bad you bash me!
If you say I earned it, Ill take this, too.”
Read EW’s full oral history ofCatwomanwith Berry, director Pitof, producer Di Novi, and screenwriter Brancato
