Anne Hathaway’s Misidentified Audition: From Harley Quinn Prep to Catwoman Triumph

In a recent interview, Anne Hathaway recounted that she entered a meeting with director Christopher Nolan believing she was auditioning for Harley Quinn in the upcoming Batman sequel. She spent a full week cultivating “demonic Harley Quinn energy,” complete with “weird jester flats and a striped top.” Two hours into the conversation Nolan clarified that the role under discussion was Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Hathaway then “transformed” on the spot, adjusting her performance to the new character. The adaptation proved successful; she secured the part and later earned acclaim for her portrayal of Catwoman in *The Dark Knight Rises*.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman RoleVariety Magazine

Hathaway’s Oscar win for *Les Misérables* had been followed by a wave of online hostility, with the top Google search query reportedly being “Why does everyone hate Anne Hathaway?” She described the backlash as making many studios hesitant to cast her because of a “toxic” online identity. Christopher Nolan, who had previously directed her as Dr. Amelia Brand in *Interstellar* (2014), offered her the Catwoman role, which she later credited as a pivotal career rescue. The actress and Nolan have since reunited for the forthcoming film *The Odyssey*, slated for release on July 17 by Universal Pictures.

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• Anne Hathaway – Actress, Oscar winner for *Les Misérables*.

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• Christopher Nolan – Director of *The Dark Knight Rises*, *Interstellar*, and *The Odyssey*.

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• Christian Bale – Co-star as Batman in *The Dark Knight Rises*.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

• Michelle Pfeiffer – Referenced by Hathaway as the iconic previous Catwoman, influencing her initial assumption.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

• **Post-Oscar period (after *Les Misérables*)** – Public backlash intensifies.

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• **Pre-production of *The Dark Knight Rises*** – Hathaway prepares for a presumed Harley Quinn audition.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

• Audition meeting – Two-hour discussion reveals the role is Catwoman; Hathaway secures the part.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

• 2014 – Hathaway stars as Dr. Amelia Brand in Nolan’s *Interstellar*.

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• 2024 – Hathaway discusses the audition on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast and in a Vanity Fair interview.

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• July 17, 2026 – Release of *The Odyssey* (upcoming collaboration with Nolan).

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• One week of dedicated Harley Quinn preparation.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

• Two hours into the meeting before Nolan disclosed the true role.

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• Top Google query: “Why does everyone hate Anne Hathaway?” (indicative of public sentiment at the time).

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Securing Catwoman provided Hathaway with a high-profile, critically praised role that contrasted sharply with the earlier negative online perception. Her ability to pivot instantly during the audition demonstrated professional versatility, reinforcing her reputation among industry peers. Nolan’s willingness to cast her despite the backlash underscores the director’s influence in reshaping her career trajectory.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

Hathaway explained that she entered the meeting convinced “it can’t be Catwoman because Michelle Pfeiffer was so iconic,” prompting her to focus on Harley Quinn. Upon learning the role was Catwoman, she described an immediate shift in mindset, likening the rapid change to “a psychopath” adapting. She later emphasized Nolan’s support, noting he “did not care about” the online toxicity and offered her “one of the most beautiful roles” in a major film.

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

The actress acknowledged that the post-Oscar backlash created a “toxic” online identity, leading many industry decision-makers to hesitate in offering her work. This sentiment was reflected in the prevalent search query questioning public dislike of Hathaway.

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• “Here’s the thing that worked in my favor: she’s a chameleon,” — Anne Hathaway, actress

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• “So, I spent a week developing demonic Harley Quinn energy. I was wearing weird jester flats and a striped top,” — Anne Hathaway

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• “And then about like 2 hours into our conversation, Chris is like, ‘So, uh, the part’s Catwoman.’” — Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway Went From Harley Quinn to Catwoman ‘Like a Psychopath’ for Batman Role

• “A lot of people wouldn’t give me roles because they were so concerned about how toxic my identity had become online,” — Anne Hathaway

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• “I had an angel in Christopher Nolan, who did not care about that and gave me one of the most beautiful roles I’ve had in one of the best films that I’ve been a part of.” — Anne Hathaway

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Hathaway and Nolan will reunite for *The Odyssey*, scheduled to open in theaters on July 17, 2026, marking another major collaboration between the actress and the director.

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