Michelle Pfeiffer will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe next year when she debuts as Janet Van Dyne AKA the original Wasp in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp. However, as old school superhero film lovers will know, this isn’t the actress’ first time in a comic book movie. Pfeiffer previously starred as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in 1992’s Batman Returns.
Though the flick itself often divides people over its surreal, dark content, pretty much every Batman fans agrees that Pfeiffer is tremendous in it, arguably remaining the finest cinematic take on the character to this day. Could she ever play the role again, though? That remains to be seen, but Pfeiffer herself is up for the idea. While chatting with Variety, the actress said that “she would love to reprise her Catwoman character.”
On why her interpretation of Selina Kyle is so well regarded, Pfeiffer remained humble, citing director Tim Burton’s influence as a key factor:
“It was all Tim Burton. He was able to bring this heart and darkness and humor to it.”
The actress also recalled one infamous scene in the movie, in which Catwoman puts a live bird in her mouth. This wasn’t achieved with any computer trickery – Pfeiffer really did that. Nowadays, though, she surprises even herself:
“I can’t believe I did that. I could have gotten a disease.”
So, how could Pfeiffer return as Catwoman? Well, the role is currently vacant in the DCEU, but we imagine Warner Bros. will want someone younger than the 59-year-old star to feature opposite Ben Affleck. If there was ever to be an adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns or Batman Beyond, though, Pfeiffer would be a shoe-in to play an older Catwoman. With her Batman, Michael Keaton, returning as a more mature Bruce Wayne, of course.
Circling back to the topic of Ant-Man and the Wasp, Pfeiffer revealed that she’s been reading Marvel comic books for research ahead of her role as Janet. However, it turns out the actress is not a natural comic reader:
“I just started reading them, and I’m having a really hard time. There’s so much information on a page, and it’s not linear. When I’m skim reading them it’s difficult to know that this part comes after that and who is talking in what bubble.”
You can catch Michelle Pfeiffer alongside Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas when Ant-Man and the Wasp arrives on July 6th, 2018.