The success of HBO’s ‘The Penguin’ has solidified that the world of Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman’ is ripe for exciting spinoffs. With rumors of a Joker series swirling (though debunked by James Gunn), the next logical choice for a solo series is undeniably centered around Zoë Kravitz’s captivating Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman.
Kravitz’s performance as Catwoman in ‘The Batman’ was electrifying. The film introduced Selina as Carmine Falcone’s illegitimate daughter, forced to navigate the brutal streets of Gotham after her mother’s murder. While she embraced the life of a cat burglar, Selina showed compassion for those on the fringes, like Bruce Wayne and her late roommate Annika, seeking her own brand of justice. She wasn’t just a villain, but rather an antihero, a complex character caught in the city’s dark underbelly.
‘The Batman’ left us with a strong foundation for a Catwoman series. The film’s ending showcased Selina leaving Gotham, seeking refuge in the neighboring city of Blüdhaven, setting the stage for a fresh start and new adventures. Her skills as a cat burglar offer endless possibilities for stories, whether she continues to take from the corrupt or utilizes her abilities for a greater good.
A Catwoman spinoff has the potential to be more than just a solo character series; it can further develop the complex world of Gotham and its characters. Just as ‘The Penguin’ explored the city’s crime syndicates and the brutal realities of Gotham’s underworld, a Catwoman series could delve into the city’s social inequalities, showcasing the injustices that fuel the city’s crime. Through Selina’s perspective, we could witness the impact of these injustices on those most vulnerable and explore how Selina’s own struggle resonates with them.
Furthermore, a Catwoman series could showcase her evolution from a villain into a hero. While Catwoman has a history of being a cunning adversary to Batman, her journey has also seen her become a reluctant ally and even a symbol of justice. A series could explore her transition from a self-serving thief to a Robin Hood-esque figure, fighting for the marginalized and challenging the corruption that plagues Gotham.
The 2004 ‘Catwoman’ movie is a painful reminder of how a solo Catwoman project can go wrong. Halle Berry’s rendition was a critical and commercial disaster, failing to capture the essence of the character and falling short of what fans expect from a superhero adaptation. A new series, with Kravitz’s exceptional talent at the helm, could finally do justice to the character and her complex backstory, offering a nuanced portrayal of Selina Kyle that’s far removed from the campy portrayal of the past.
Catwoman is more than just Batman’s sidekick. She has a rich history in the comics, proving her worth as a standalone character. With her immense popularity and compelling backstory, a Catwoman series has the potential to be a major success for HBO. It’s time for Selina Kyle to step out of the shadows and claim her own story, and HBO is the perfect platform for her to do it.
