Batman Beauties
From femme fatales to love interests and, good girls gone bad, we take a look at the leading ladies from the Batman Franchise.
Last week Matt Reeves director of the upcoming Batman movie dropped a short teaser. In the video, we got our first look at Robert Pattinson in the new batsuit. The fandom went into overdrive taking to social media to share their thoughts and to speculate on the closely guarded plot. Not a lot has been confirmed yet but we do know that Zoë Kravitz will play Catwoman.
The first major studio Batman film was released back in 1989, directed by Tim Burton and starring Micheal Keaton the film grossed over 411.5 million USD. Since then, the franchise has spawned several movies and everyone has their favorite Batman, but what about the ladies of Gotham? Batman is a superhero movie but it’s the femme fatales and damsels in distress who have created the major on-screen fashion moments. It’s those iconic characters that have been brought to life (on-screen) and have left a long-lasting impression.
We take a look back at the best Batman Beauties of all time.
Sugar (Drew Barrymore) Batman Forever 1995
Dressed in all white lingerie Barrymore plays Sugar, the “good” assistant to Two-Face. She’s a sweet-natured henchwoman who just happens to be bad. Her sultry look wouldn’t look out-of-place on a Savage x Fenty runway.
Julie Madison (Elle Macpherson) Batman and Robin 1997
The Australian model plays Julie Madison, the high-society girlfriend of Bruce Wayne. Some of Macpherson’s scenes didn’t make the cut but she did bring some 90’s fashion to film.
Catwoman / Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) Batman Returns 1992
Phiffer plays the tragically doomed secretary Selina Kyle, one of the most iconic characters from the Batman franchise. With her home sewing machine, neon lights and killer taste Pfeiffer’s Catwoman is a true fashion icon. The role was originally offered to Annette Bening who dropped out last minute.
Poison Ivy /Dr. Pamela Isley (Uma Thurman) Batman & Robin 1997
Thurman plays Dr. Pamela Isley, a good girl gone bad. Isley is a botanist who becomes an ecoterrorist (Poison Ivy) after being pushed into vials of chemicals, poisons, and toxins. The red-headed supervillain is on a mission to let Gotham know, “it’s not nice to play with Mother Nature.” She gets her revenge in an eco-friendly costume that’s fashioned from her beloved plants.
Alicia Hunt (Jerry Hall) Batman 1989
Supermodel Jerry Hall played the villain in the first-ever Batman movie. She stars as Alicia Hunt, the on-and-off-again girlfriend of the Joker. The crazed villain turns Hunt into a piece of “living art” by throwing acid in her face. The Gotham model then adopts a porcelain mask and without any remorse joins the madman on his rampage.
Batgirl / Barbara Wilson (Alicia Silverstone) Batman & Robin 1997
The Clueless star plays Barbara Wilson, the niece of Batman’s long-time butler, Alfried. Staying at Wayne Manor Wilson learns the true identity of Batman and Robin. In a kick-ass costume, Silverstone holds her own and helps the duo to defeat the bad guys.
Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) Batman 1989
Starring in Tim Burton’s original Batman movie, Basinger plays Vicki Vale. A damsel in distress who gets kidnapped by the Joker and rescued by Batman. Sporting a beret, 80’s shoulder pads and a single braid in her hair, we can see why the Joker became obsessed.
Ms. B. Haven (Vivica A. Fox) Batman & Robin 1997
Serving us Ice Queen realness, Fox plays Ms. B. Haven, a ‘gangster’s moll’ type to Mr.Freeze. The look is very 90’s Mugler.
Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman) Batman Forever 1995
Starring in Batman Forever Kidman plays Dr. Chase Meridian, the sassy phycologist who becomes Batman’s love interest. “You like strong women. I’ve done my homework. Or do I need skin-tight vinyl and a whip?”
Spice (Debi Mazar) Batman Forever 1995
Mazar started her career as Madonna’s make-up artist. They met at a club and Mazar was hired to work on the video for Madonna’s debut single. Mazar later said that it was Madonna who encouraged her to become an actor. In Batman Forever, Mazar plays Spice, the “bad” assistant to Two-Face.
The Ice Princess (Cristi Conaway) Batman Returns 1992
In a look that could be mistaken for a John Galliano (think Helena Christensen in that Mr.Pearl corset from his 1997 SS Couture show) or Thierry Mugler, the Ice Princess time on screen is short but iconic.
The Cat / Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) The Dark Knight Rises 2012
With cute cat ears that could be fresh off the runway, Hathaway is our favorite Catwoman since Michelle Pfeiffer. At the start of the film, we see her dressed as a maid in a look that’s very Chanel. She’s the bad girl with a sudden change of heart, Kyle ultimately joins forces with Batman to defeat the villains.