Key Takeaways:
• Nicole Kidman expressed her desire for a more substantial role in superhero movies after Batman Forever.
• She found her dream role in Aquaman as Queen Atlanna.
• The actress choose Aquaman over Batman as her favorite superhero movie.
A More than Just a Love Interest
Nicole Kidman, the renowned Hollywood starlet, had a dominant run as a leading lady in many Hollywood films for several years. While she embraced her role in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever in 1995, acting alongside Val Kilmer, Kidman confessed that she yearned for more. The Australian actor revealed in an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment that she wanted more than just being eye candy in a superhero blockbuster.
Reflecting on her role as Dr. Chase Meridian in Batman Forever, Kidman shared, “I remember going, ‘I wish had more of a role, though.’ It’s great being the girl in the Batman movie but I’m an actor and you go, ‘Gosh, I want more to do.’ So I would still love to do some sort of superhero movie where I get to do the cool stuff.”
An Unrealistic Portrayal
Even the film’s director, Joel Schumacher, concurred that Kidman’s character, a criminal psychologist, looked nothing like her, hinting at an unrealistic presentation. Kidman’s character is often seen clad in tight black dresses with impeccable hair and makeup, which the actress found to be unrealistic and over-the-top.
A Superheroic Shift
Keeping her aspiration intact, Kidman signed on for James Wan’s Aquaman in 2018, portraying a more impactful character than her earlier superhero movie. She joined the franchise alongside Jason Momoa, driven by her admiration for Wan’s work. Narrating her decision to Variety, Kidman said, “I knew James Wan was going to do something really interesting and really fun… I follow certain directors; James was one of them.”
The collaboration was a rewarding experience for both Wan and Kidman, with Wan crafting Kidman’s character, Queen Atlanna, with her in mind. Expressing his pleasure to work with Kidman, Wan stated, “There’s no one more perfect to play the queen of Atlantis but Nicole Kidman. She was at the top of my list.”
Basking in the Aquaman Glory
When asked to compare her experiences with Batman and Aquaman, Kidman straightforwardly picked the latter. “Well, you have to be with the one you’re with now, so I have to say Aquaman, right? I can’t be talking about an ex!” she retorted humorously.
Nicole Kidman relished her role in Aquaman, where she got to perform action scenes, and her character did not demand her to be in provocative wardrobe or play seductively similar to Dr. Meridian. Even though she wasn’t the leading lady, she considered it an honor to be the Queen of Atlantis, categorizing it as the “coolest role ever.”
Both Batman Forever and Aquaman are available for streaming on Max.
