Madonna has recently shared insight into her some of her most noteworthy career choices, including the fact that she turned down the role of Catwoman in Batman Returns. The hit 1992 superhero sequel’s distributor, Warner Bros., and director-producer, Tim Burton, originally offered the celebrated performer the part, Comic Book Movie is reporting.
But after the Grammy Award-winning singer decided not to star in the film, Michelle Pfeiffer was cast as the anti-heroine, who’s one of the Dark Knight’s most enduring enemies. The Academy Award-nominated actress went on to garner acclaim for her portrayal of Catwoman in Batman Returns.
Madonna confirmed the long-running rumor during an interview with talk show host Jimmy Fallon when she appeared on The Tonight Show last Thursday, October 7. The actress also revealed during their chat that “I regret that I turned down Catwoman. That was pretty fierce.”
The performer, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in 1997 for Evita, also told Fallon that she turned down roles in two other iconic ’90s films – Showgirls and The Matrix. Madonna didn’t specify which part she was offered in the latter movie, but noted that she feels it’s “one of the best movies ever made. A teeny tiny part of me regrets just that one moment in my life.”
During the singer’s appearance on The Tonight Show, she also divulged that she took creative control over the upcoming biographical film about her life. As reported by Harper’s Bazaar, she explained that she’s been sent multiple scripts throughout her life that would potentially showcase her career on screen. But Madonna noted that the screenplays were always conceptualized by men who she felt didn’t understand her life story.
“People have tried to write movies about me but they’re always men,” the performer shared during the interview. “[Universal] sent me a script and they wanted my blessing and I read it and it was one of the most hideous, superficial [scripts] I’ve ever read. And then I found out – I’m not even going to say his name but he’s a total misogynist – was directing and I’m thinking, Why would these people make a movie about my life?”
Madonna added, “There [was] nothing true in the script…This happened a couple of times and I had to call up the heads of studios, call up my agents, and threaten them and say that I will stand in front of the building and protest and make everyone’s life a misery if they go through with it…and they still didn’t take me seriously.”
The actress went on to say that her experience with the studios and filmmakers encouraged her to write the script and direct the upcoming movie, Madame X. She went on to say that she thinks the film should be called a visual autobiography rather than a biopic.
Madonna released a statement on her website last year, announcing the movie was in development. She also took the time to explain why she was ready to tell the story of her life.
“I want to convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer—a human being, trying to make her way in this world,” the singer said in the statement. “The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going and art has kept me alive. There are so many untold and inspiring stories and who better to tell it than me. It’s essential to share the roller coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision.”