Key Takeaways:
– Anne Hathaway was initially cast to play Black Cat in Spider-Man 4, but the film was later scrapped.
– This situation led her to accept the role of Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.
– Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 4 intended for Hathaway’s character to be a new heroine called ‘Vulturess’ rather than the comic book figure, Black Cat.
(Source: [FandomWire](https://fandomwire.com/probably-more-the-producers-story-to-tell-than-mine-anne-hathaway-on-the-marvel-role-she-lost-before-the-dark-knight-rises/))
Anne Hathaway, famed for her roles in “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Les Misérables,” almost had a different superhero stint before accepting the Catwoman role in “The Dark Knight Rises.”
Hathaway’s Brush with Marvel
Hathaway, known for her unmatched acting prowess, revealed she was initially lined up to feature in the Marvel universe. The actress could have played a significant role at the side of one of Marvel’s most beloved superheroes, Spider-Man. This surprising revelation surfaced during Hathaway’s conversation on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
Almost a Different Feline
She was slated to bring to life Felicia Hardy, also known as the Black Cat, in the ill-fated “Spider-Man 4” production by Sam Raimi. Despite the film’s ultimate cancellation, Spider-Man’s notorious love interest and fellow thief would have teamed up with the web-slinger.
Hathaway confessed during the podcast that she did not get to read past the audition sides or even get into costume, as the project was scrapped before she had the chance. She kindly deflected any more deep-dive discussions about the topic, suggesting that the relevant story would be best shared by the movie’s producers.
Aftermath of a Cancelled Role
Despite losing the chance to partake in the vast Spider-Man universe, it was not long before Hathaway found herself in another illustrious comic book film. She brought to life Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman, in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” It’s noteworthy that Black Cat and Catwoman, although from different comic publishers, share striking similarities character-wise.
However, there were considerable variances in Hathaway’s role as Felicia Hardy from the original comic book narrative.
The Altered Narrative
While Felicia Hardy is Black Cat in Marvel comics, Raimi had a different twist planned for “Spider-Man 4”. The film was expected to introduce the character Vulture, with actor John Malkovich speculated for the role. Hathaway’s character was meant to assist him, not as Black Cat, but as a new super-powered entity named ‘Vulturess.’
This would have been a fresh take from the classic comic series, showcasing Hathaway in a new, enticing light. Unfortunately, the project ultimately failed to materialize, leaving fans to wonder about what could have been.
Despite the missed opportunity, Anne Hathaway went on to achieve great success with her portrayal of Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises.” This interesting anecdote only demonstrates the unpredictable and sharp turns the world of superhero cinema often takes. But one thing is certain – whether Black Cat or Catwoman, Anne Hathaway’s incredible acting talent would undoubtedly have prevailed.
