Zoë Kravitz Was Called "Too Urban" for 'The Dark Night Rises' Role
The actor claims the color of her skin kept her from starring in the 2012 version of ‘The Batman.’
While Hollywood has come a long way in terms of representation, there is still much more ground to cover and Zoë Kravitz’ experience with racism points to its deep-seated issues. Though Kravitz is our latest Catwoman, starring alongside Robert Pattinson in The Batman, the actor and model recalls auditioning for the 2012 movie The Dark Night Rises.
Unable to read for the role, the YSL brand ambassador remembers the word “urban” being thrown around, which is often used as a thinly veiled euphemism for Black. In an interview with The Observer, Kravitz shares, “I don’t know if it came directly from Chris Nolan, [the film’s director]. I think it was probably a casting director of some kind, or a casting director’s assistant. Being a woman of color and an actor and being told at that time that I wasn’t able to read because of the color of my skin, and the word “urban” being thrown around like that, that was what was really hard about that moment.”
Looking back, Kravitz says she is now able to find something positive in the rejection as many are praising her for her performance as Selina Kyle in the new 2022 movie. The Batman is available to watch in theaters starting March 4.
