The web is buzzing this week due to a report that Megan Fox (Transformers, Jennifer’s Body) has been cast opposite Christian Bale and Michael Caine in Christopher Nolan’s unnamed third installment (not yet confirmed) in the Batman saga. Gordon Smart’s Bizzare from The Sun (a UK based tabloid) reported this piece of news earlier this week claiming that Megan Fox has been signed on to play Catwoman and Batman fanatics have been up-in-arms regarding this piece of  news. The Sun used outlandish remarks such as, “Megan will need to get into practice with her talcum powder application...” to claim this piece of rumor mill to be true only to have it debunked by entertainment news groups such as Ain’t It Cool News. That being said, Megan Fox’s publicist has mentioned that Megan is a huge fan of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films and is open to such casting.

Since this news came up, many people (especially on Twitter) have been complaining about the possibility of Megan Fox becoming Catwoman. Rather than quoting all these complaints here, I will give you my take and picks of the perfect Catwoman.

Lets face it. The 3rd Batman film will needs a female character to play off of Batman and Bruce Wayne. Rachel Dawes was the anchor that kept Bruce Wayne grounded in the first 2 movies (Katie Holmes in Batman Begins and Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Dark Knight) and now that she has died (sorry if I spoiled her death to you, but if you haven’t watched Dark Knight yet, you deserved it) there is a void that must be filled in the next movie. Catwoman is a perfect choice as a new character to introduce in Christopher Nolan’s Batman saga. Catwoman has been everything from villain to  love interest since her introduction in 1940 (Batman #1). Of course, this article is not really about why Catwoman should be in the next Batman movie, but which actress would be most suitable to play her.

Let’s start with Megan Fox. People were screaming “bloody murder” over the news that Megan Fox was cast as Catwoman. Unfortunately, I agree with everyone. Don’t get me wrong. I adore Megan Fox. She has a brilliant charm about her that makes it hard to ignore her. Many of you (especially the boys) pretty much lust over her body or what not, but lets face the facts. Her acting capability is average at best. However, I may be wrong considering some actors/actress do not shine until they find the right script. So far, her performances in the Transformer movies haven’t been that strong and I doubt the it will get any better in any other future Transformers sequel. However, this doesn’t mean she’s a bad actor. The trailer of Megan Fox’s next movie, Jennifer’s Body is quite hilarious and it is possible that Diablo Cody (the director) is the right person to show what Megan Fox can do. Regarding the possibility of Megan Fox being cast as Catwoman, I highly doubt this will get go beyond being anything but a rumor. There is a certain intensity that Christian Bale admits in his performances (such as in American Psycho and The Machinist) and that intensity must be matched by other actors/actress. Megan Fox (at this point in her career) isn’t capable of such a high level of acting to match that of Christian Bale, Michael Caine, or Gary Oldman. It is possible that she may be able to get to that level in the future, but Catwoman is not the right role for her. I can guarantee you this. If Joel Schumacher was still making a Batman movies today, Megan Fox would definitely be in the running for Catwoman. (I hate you Joel!) Below is my top picks of who I would cast as Catwoman in the next Batman movie.

#5. Monica Bellucci (Shoot’em Up, The Passion of the Christ, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010))
This voluptuous Italian model/actress/sex symbol has proven over years that she is not just a pretty face. She has been cast in an array of films of different genres such as The Matrix Reloaded/Revolution (sci-fi) where she played Persephone, Shoot’em Up (action) where she played a prostitute opposite Clive Owen, and in the dramatic film, The Passion of the Christ where she was cast as Marie Magdalene.
Monica Bellucci has an exotic and alluring appeal that would be perfect for the role of Catwoman and she has the acting capabilities to back it up, however she hasn’t really been in any action/thriller films that requires her to be physical. Considering Catwoman’s athletic ability, Monica might not cut it. However, as mentioned by a fellow Tweeter, I would be interesting to see if she can squeeze into the Catwoman leather outfit.

#4. Kate Beckinsale (Underworld series, Van Hellsing, Pearl Harbor)
Kate Beckinsale has already proven she can kick a whole lot of ass and look good doing it in black. She is already a fan favorite of sci-fi/fantasy/action movie fans from her role as Selene in Underworld and Underworld Evolution. This dark haired beauty definitely fits the visual profile of Catwoman, but the only aspect that may keep her from being cast is her ability to act at a level that Christopher Nolan may demand. She is a great actress, but her intensity is questionable. When it comes to dramatic roles, her ability to covey those scenes is a bit lacking as I felt when I watched her in The Aviator (Ava Garner) and Pearl Harbor (Nurse Evelyn Johnson). She is quite adorable though.

#3. Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil series, Ultra Violet, The Fifth Element)
Our favorite Ukrainian-born action starlet faces the same problems that Kate Beckinsale does. She is a proven to be able to put the beatdown on some baddies as she did as Alice in the Resident Evil films and she has the same exotic appeal that Monica Bellucci has, but throughout her career, she still hasn’t tackled the heavy dramatic roles. Her inexperience in such roles may be the only reason she doesn’t get to be Catwoman.

#2. Angelina Jolie (Changeling, Wanted, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Tomb Raider series)
What can I say about Angelina Jolie. She is a “Jack of all trades”. She is already an Oscar winner for her dramatic role as Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted and she has already proven to be huge action star as Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider films and as Fox in Wanted. She is a sex symbol and an international celebrity. Men want to be with her, and women want to be her (or with her). Angelina Jolie is the total package when it comes to casting Catwoman. Her extensive resume is a testament to her acting capabilities and she is never shy to take any role. Angelina should be #1 on any list, but I am a bit partial to my number 1 pick, so I have to put Angelina at #2. (I love Acid Burn!)

and my number 1 pick is…

#1. Charlize Theron (Hancock, Aeon Flux, Monster, The Cider House Rules, 2 Days in the Valley)
My number 1 pick for the role of Catwoman is none other than South African American model/actress, Charlize Theron. Charlize has a similar resume as that of Angelina Jolie. She is already an Oscar winner for her role as the serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (Film critic, Roger Ebert has be quoted that Charlize’s performance in Monster was one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema) and she is also a proven action star due to her role as Aeon Flux (in the movie by the same name) and in Hancock, opposite Will Smith. She definitely has the acting chops to become Catwoman. Charlize has the capabilities of being a fierce and aggressive as Catwoman, but also turn around and be an elegant and sophisticated socialite as Selina Kyle. She can play both of these completely opposite personas, but keep them balanced as one character. I can truly believe that Charlize Theron can break Batman’s legs and his heart. Charlize Theron also has an alluring and elegant appeal that reminds me of 1930 and 1940’s Hollywood starlets such as Ginger Rogers (Flying Down to Rio) and Vivien Leigh (Gone with the Wind). Considering that Bob Kane’s inspiration behind Selina Kyle (Catwoman) was 1930’s film star, Jean Harlow (Red Dust), it seems right to me that Charlize would be a perfect modern representation of his vision. Bob Kane has once described Jean Harlow as “impressionable age … seemed to personify feminine pulchritude at its most sensuous…” and that in my opinion can be used to describe Charlize Theron. On a side note, I would love to see Charlize in black again. Aeon Flux sucked, but Charlize was stunning.