I like a good game of Telephone as much as the next guy, but this is a bit much.
On Monday the New York Daily News ran an interview with Julie Newmar, the original Catwoman in the Batman TV series, in which she said Angelina Jolie would be perfect for the part in the current movie franchise.
“My industry friends tell me [she] has made inquiries about the role,” the 74-year-old actress said.
So, Newmar hears Jolie might be interested in the role, and thinks she’d make a good Catwoman. Straightforward enough, right?
Apparently not.
Less than four days into the story cycle, the Brisbane Times writes, “Angelina Jolie is reportedly being lined up to star as Catwoman in a new movie.” That’s under the headline, “Jolie set to get her claws out.”
Tasmania’s Waleg.com has the “rumor” that the actress “is in final negotiations” for the part, while Perth Now’s headline — “Angelina Jolie to play Catwoman” — has it a done deal.
(You may notice that, along the way, Newmar and the Daily News are dropped as sources, in favor of “reports” and “rumor.”)
Thankfully, MTV’s Splash Page is more restrained, and even a bit skeptical of Newmar’s “industry friends.”
“Now I will be the last one to question the legendary Ms. Newmar’s industry connections,” Josh Horowitz writes, “but does this strike anyone else as her probably quoting a friend she had a mimosa with over brunch last weekend?”

August 1st, 2008 at 11:56 am
I think that she’s too much Angelina Jolie to be Catwoman?
August 1st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
No thanks.
Angelina Jolie to this franchise will be like nipples to the ’90s franchise.
August 1st, 2008 at 12:57 pm
With Johnny Depp as The Riddler and Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Penguin.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I doubt Julie Newmar has any inside info on the next Batman. This is a just a way to get back in the news.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Paris Hilton for Poison Ivy?
August 1st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Why anyone thinks Julie Newmar has any kind of pull or insider info on anything related to Batman that isn’t relegated to the 1960s t.v. show is beyond me. What’s even more ridiculous is the fact that a screenplay doesn’t even exist. Hell, TDK has only been out for two weeks. Even though I would sooner chew my own leg off than watch Angelina Jolie in a Batman movie, if she were to be cast she’d be a far better Talia than Catwoman.
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Anyone who is in any way angered by this kind of rumour inflation is reacting wrongly. It is, in fact, hilarious.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:33 am
It is a little hilarious. Right now, they probably have about five different script treatments for a movie that doesn’t even have a name yet (although my brother is convinced that it will be The Caped Crusader). Catwoman might be one of the villains, but somehow, I think the Riddler is much more likely. Disclaimer: I am not a representative of Jim Carrey and therefore have no inside scoop. This is purely speculative.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
“I think the Riddler is much more likely. Disclaimer: I am not a representative of Jim Carrey and therefore have no inside scoop. This is purely speculative.”
Sources indicate that Frank Gorshin’s corpse does think the Riddler will make an appearance.