Fans revisiting Batman Returns often catch new details, and one eagle-eyed viewer spotted something intriguing during the explosive scene at Shreck’s department store involving Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic Catwoman. In a re-examination of the scene, questions arise about whether Michelle Pfeiffer herself performed all aspects of the stunt work, specifically during the fiery explosion sequence.
The user points out a moment between Catwoman’s cartwheel and her subsequent pose where it becomes strikingly apparent that the face is not Michelle Pfeiffer’s. This observation occurs just before Shreck’s Wonderland erupts in flames. It’s noted that no complex acrobatics are taking place at this precise moment; Catwoman is simply standing still for a brief second.
Adding to the intrigue, as the camera pans out for a wider shot of the store exploding, Catwoman is still visible in the same position. Immediately following this, a quick cut shows Catwoman already scaling a wall. Explosions on film sets are inherently dangerous, leading to speculation that for safety reasons, Michelle Pfeiffer may have been replaced by a stunt performer for this portion of the scene. The original poster humorously suggests that even Michael Keaton, as Batman, likely had a stunt double for hazardous moments.
Further discussion points out that the stunt double in question is likely not Kathy Long, who was credited for fight choreography and some stunt work, particularly the backflips. This raises questions about the uncredited stunt performer who executed this specific, visible stunt. Another fascinating detail brought up is the mechanics of Catwoman’s retractable heels during the cartwheel sequence, prompting curiosity about how this practical effect was achieved. The conversation concludes with a request for more screenshots to further analyze the scene and potentially uncover other instances where a stunt double may have been used for Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, such as the fall from the ledge, a stunt purportedly shown being directed by Tim Burton in behind-the-scenes specials.
