In a 2015 interview, Zo Kravitz, who plays Catwoman in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, said that she was not even offered the opportunity to audition for the character in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. The actress told Nylon magazine that she was turned down because of her race.

Kravitz said, “In the last Batman movie [The Dark Knight Rises], they told me that I couldn’t get an audition for a small role they were casting because they weren’t ‘going urban,’. It was like, ‘What does that have to do with anything?’ I have to play the role like, ‘Yo, what’s up, Batman? What’s going on wit chu?'”

Catwoman appeared as Bruce Wayne’s opponent and romantic interest in “The Dark Knight Rises” although Kravtiz didn’t specify what “small role” she intended to audition for.

Anne Hathaway was cast in the role.

Anne Hathaway played Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, in “The Dark Knight Rises.” Warner Bros.

According to Comicbook.com, “urban” is frequently used as a disparaging term to designate “black.” The announcement that the actress from Big Little Lies has been hired as Catwoman is a statement of Hollywood’s acceptance of on-screen diversity.

Jason Momoa, who is married to Zoe Kravitz’s mother Lisa Bonet, praised her casting as Catwoman. The Aquaman star expressed his delight at her casting and wished her all the best in her future endeavors.

Michelle Pfeiffer, who played Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992), offered Kravitz some guidance. “Make sure whilst designing the costume they consider how you’re going to go to the bathroom,” Pfeiffer advised on Good Morning America.

Kravitz beat out Zazie Beetz (“Deadpool 2,” “Joker,” FX’s “Atlanta”), Eiza Gonzalez (“Baby Driver”), and Alicia Vikander (“Tomb Raider,” “Ex Machina”) for the role of the DC Comics anti-hero, according to Variety.

The 5ft2in actress has already voiced Catwoman in the 2017 film The Lego Batman Movie, which starred Will Arnett as Batman.

Aside from Zoe Kravitz, Jonah Hill has been mentioned as a possible adversary in the film. The Penguin or The Riddler are two identities that have been suggested for Hill. On June 25, 2021, Matt Reeves’ Batman, starring Robert Pattinson, will be released.

Kravitz’s agent confirmed her appointment as Catwoman but declined to elaborate. A representative for Nolan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.