4 years ago
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"I wasn’t able to read because of the color of my skin."
Even celeb pals like Taylor Swift couldn't stop raving about her.
So, when I found out Zoë previously wanted to audition for a role in the DC Universe but was rejected for an absurd reason, I had to learn more.
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In a recent interview with The Observer, Zoë revealed she tried to audition for a role in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises (2012) but was turned down for being "too urban."
Axelle / FilmMagic / Getty Images
And let's be real, "urban" has always been used as a code word for "Black." I wish people would be up front and say it with their chest instead of hiding behind their racism and microaggressions.
"I don’t know if it came directly from Chris Nolan,” said Zoë. “I think it was probably a casting director of some kind, or a casting director’s assistant."
Steve Granitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images
"Being a woman of color and being 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.”
Jeff Spicer / Jeff Spicer / Getty Images for Warner Bros.
Although Zoë did not disclose which role she went out for, she did mention that it was a small one. She couldn't even get in the room because "the film wasn't going urban."
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection
She also opened up to Nylon back in 2015 about the incident, "It was like, ‘What does that have to do with anything?’ I have to play the role like, ‘Yo, what’s up, Batman? What’s going on with you?’”
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection
Well, it looks like Zoë's having the last laugh, because The Batman made a $134 million debut at the box office with her in a leading role.
HBO
I guess Beyoncé was right..."the best revenge is your paper."
Sony
To read more about Zoë and her road to Catwoman, check out her full interview with The Observer.
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