The 2004 superhero film Catwoman, directed by French filmmaker Pitof, is one of the most polarizing comic book adaptations of the 21st century. Released two decades ago, the movie—which featured a unique take on the DC Comics character, starring Halle Berry as graphic designer Patience Phillips—was a critical and commercial disappointment at the time, but has since clawed its way into a fascinating cult classic status.
As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the film is experiencing a new wave of retrospective interest, largely due to its 20th anniversary and the continued high-profile careers of its main ensemble. From its Oscar-winning lead accepting a Razzie to its main villain joining a major action franchise, here is a deep dive into the Catwoman (2004) cast, their memorable roles, and their most current projects.
Catwoman (2004) Main Cast: The Full Biography & Latest Projects
The film centered on Patience Phillips, a meek graphic designer who is murdered after uncovering a dangerous secret about a cosmetic company's anti-aging cream, only to be resurrected by an Egyptian Mau cat and granted cat-like abilities. The main cast brought Hollywood star power to the controversial project, which was written by John Rogers, John Brancato, and Michael Ferris from a story by Theresa Rebeck.
- Halle Berry as Patience Phillips / Catwoman:
- Role in Film: The protagonist, a graphic designer who becomes the titular anti-hero after her death and resurrection.
- Date of Birth: August 14, 1966 (Cleveland, Ohio).
- Career Highlights: Academy Award for Best Actress (Monster's Ball), Storm in the X-Men film series, Die Another Day, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.
- Current Status: Continues to be a major Hollywood star, focusing on action and thriller roles, while also directing.
- Latest Projects (2024–2025): Berry starred in the survival horror film Never Let Go (2024), directed by Alexandre Aja. She also starred in the action-comedy film The Union (2024) alongside Mark Wahlberg. Berry has recently reflected on the film's legacy, even celebrating its 20th anniversary.
- Benjamin Bratt as Detective Tom Lone:
- Role in Film: A dedicated police detective and Patience Phillips’ love interest, who is initially unaware of her secret identity.
- Date of Birth: December 16, 1963 (San Francisco, California).
- Career Highlights: Detective Rey Curtis on Law & Order, Miss Congeniality, Traffic, voice role in Pixar's Coco.
- Current Status: Active in both film and television, known for his versatility across genres.
- Latest Projects (2024–2025): Bratt appeared in the Netflix romantic comedy Mother Of The Bride (May 2024). He also starred in the neo-Western drama Dead for a Dollar. He is attached to the 2025 Bay List project 5 Stick Films.
- Sharon Stone as Laurel Hedare:
- Role in Film: The primary antagonist, a former supermodel and the CEO of Hedare Beauty, whose anti-aging cream is revealed to be toxic.
- Date of Birth: March 10, 1958 (Meadville, Pennsylvania).
- Career Highlights: Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Casino, Basic Instinct, Total Recall.
- Current Status: An iconic actress and activist, she continues to take on challenging film and television roles.
- Latest Projects (2024–2025): Stone was featured on the BBC's prestigious 100 Women 2024 List. Most notably, she is joining the cast of the highly anticipated sequel to the action film Nobody, slated for release in August 2025.
- Frances Conroy as Ophelia Powers:
- Role in Film: A "Cat Lady" who serves as Patience's eccentric mentor, guiding her through her transformation into Catwoman.
- Date of Birth: March 13, 1953 (Monroe, Georgia).
- Career Highlights: Golden Globe and four Emmy nominations for her role as Ruth Fisher in Six Feet Under, multiple roles in the American Horror Story anthology series.
- Current Status: Highly regarded character actress, particularly in prestige television.
- Latest Projects (2024–2025): Conroy is confirmed to be returning for an upcoming season of Ryan Murphy's FX series American Horror Story, a franchise she has been a veteran of for years, including her role in American Horror Story: Asylum.
- Lambert Wilson as George Hedare:
- Role in Film: Laurel Hedare's husband and business partner, the co-owner of Hedare Beauty.
- Date of Birth: August 3, 1958 (Neuilly-sur-Seine, France).
- Career Highlights: The Merovingian in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, numerous Cesar Award nominations, and roles in major French cinema.
- Current Status: Remains a prominent figure in European and international film and television.
- Latest Projects (2024–2025): Wilson starred in the new Apple TV+ fashion drama series La Maison, which premiered in September 2024. He also served as a patron for the Liège International Comedy Film Festival in 2024.
The Controversial Legacy: Razzies, Costume Debates, and Cult Status
While the film was a box office disappointment, grossing only $82.4 million against a reported $100 million budget, its cultural footprint has only grown in the two decades since its release.
The film became infamous for its performance at the 25th Golden Raspberry Awards (Razzies), where it received seven nominations and won four, including Worst Picture, Worst Director (Pitof), Worst Screenplay, and Worst Actress for Halle Berry.
In a move of legendary grace and humor, Halle Berry famously accepted her Worst Actress Razzie in person, holding her Academy Award for Monster's Ball in the other hand. She noted that "Hollywood tends to take awards too seriously," turning a moment of criticism into a celebrated display of self-awareness and professionalism.
The film’s critical reception was particularly harsh on the script and the controversial, revealing costume worn by Berry, which consisted of a leather bra, low-rise pants, and an open top.
Behind the scenes, there was considerable debate about the look, which was a significant departure from the more traditional, full-body leather suit worn by previous Catwoman actresses like Michelle Pfeiffer in Tim Burton's Batman Returns.
From Flop to Phenomenon: Why Catwoman (2004) Endures
Despite the initial backlash, Catwoman has, over time, found a dedicated audience, transitioning from a box office flop to a true cult classic.
This enduring appeal is often attributed to its unique aesthetic, its campy tone, and a growing appreciation for its sheer boldness in deviating so radically from the established Batman canon. The film’s focus on the themes of corporate corruption and female empowerment, albeit presented in a stylized and over-the-top manner, resonates with modern viewers.
The supporting ensemble—featuring a powerhouse cast of character actors—also adds to its rewatch value. Frances Conroy’s portrayal of the mystical Ophelia Powers provided a crucial, albeit bizarre, mythological framework for Patience’s transformation. Her presence, a stark contrast to the high-fashion world of Laurel Hedare, grounded the supernatural elements of the story.
Similarly, Sharon Stone’s Laurel Hedare, whose character arc involves a dramatic physical breakdown due to her own cosmetic product, is often hailed as a delightfully campy villain. Her performance as the ruthless beauty mogul, driven by vanity and a desire for eternal youth, perfectly encapsulated the film’s exaggerated, comic-book-style drama.
The original concept for the film was a direct spin-off from Batman Returns, with Tim Burton attached to direct and Michelle Pfeiffer set to reprise her role as Selina Kyle. The final 2004 version, however, rebooted the character entirely as Patience Phillips, a decision that cemented its status as a standalone—and therefore, an easily digestible—piece of pop culture oddity.
The film's 20th anniversary in 2024 has prompted a new wave of interviews and retrospectives, with Halle Berry herself expressing a nuanced perspective on its legacy. She has acknowledged the film’s flaws but remains proud of her work and the fact that she was one of the first Black actresses to lead a major superhero film, paving the way for greater diversity in the genre.
Ultimately, the enduring careers of the Catwoman cast—with Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Benjamin Bratt, Frances Conroy, and Lambert Wilson all continuing to land major roles in 2024 and 2025—prove that even a critical misstep can be just a single, memorable chapter in a long, illustrious Hollywood story.
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