Daniel Waters, the screenwriter behind “Batman Returns,” recently unveiled details of an unmade Catwoman spinoff project directed by Tim Burton. During a discussion via IndieWire, Waters disclosed conflicting creative visions between himself and Burton for a spinoff centered on Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Catwoman, shedding light on a daring and divergent approach that was never realized.
Waters envisioned a satirical take on the comic book movie genre, akin to today’s “The Boys,” but Burton harbored a far riskier concept. According to Waters, Burton proposed an unconventional $18 million black-and-white film resembling the style of the original “Cat People,” focusing on Selina Kyle leading a low-profile life in a small town. In contrast, Waters aimed for a Batman-focused metaphor, relocating Selina to a Los Angeles-inspired Gotham City overrun by three obnoxious superheroes—a precursor to the theme explored in “The Boys.” However, Burton found himself fatigued upon reviewing Waters’ script, leading to a divergence in their creative direction.
Waters highlighted his inclination toward infusing superhero narratives with darker, satirical elements. He recounted that the initial draft of “Batman Returns” contained subtle jabs at the first Burton-directed “Batman” film, which Waters considered a commercial success but personally deemed lacking. However, these references were excised from the movie following Michael Keaton’s advice.
Reflecting on “Batman Returns,” Waters recalled the backlash from comic book enthusiasts due to the film’s departure from traditional Catwoman and Penguin (Danny DeVito) origin stories. He acknowledged the peculiar nature of the assignment, focused solely on satisfying Burton without the scrutiny prevalent in the internet era.
Waters further remarked on their limited knowledge of Batman villains, admitting their unfamiliarity with comic book lore. The unconventional approach to “Batman Returns” drew criticism from fans who questioned the divergence from established narratives. Nevertheless, Waters noted how subsequent developments in the superhero film landscape shifted perceptions, suggesting that their unconventional take garnered retrospective intrigue amid the proliferation of Batman movies.
Despite the acclaim surrounding Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal, the unmade Catwoman spinoff disappointed many fans, leading to subsequent interpretations of the character portrayed by Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway, and Zoe Kravitz in various Batman adaptations.
