Variety says that Warner Bros. has set X-Men and X2 star Halle Berry to play the felonious feline in Catwoman, which French helmer Pitof ("Vidocq") will direct later this year.
Catwoman has been considered a dream project for actresses since Michelle Pfeiffer originated the sexy but loopy character in the Tim Burton-directed Batman Returns, says the trade. That pair tried a spinoff that stalled. WB revived it and attached Ashley Judd, who left to do a play.
The studio has been sweet on Berry for the job for the past two weeks. While no deal has been made, Berry is expected to get her claws into the part quickly. She'd be the second black woman to play Catwoman, as Eartha Kitt did the role in the 1960s TV series.
The film was scripted by John Rogers and rewritten by Mike Ferris and John Brancato. Denise Di Novi is producing.