Batman and Catwoman in Much Ado About Nothing by Michael Netzer and Joe Rubinstein

In "Much Ado About Nothing," Shakespeare created two of my favorite characters. Benedick and Beatrice are two very smart people who are quick to announce their scorn for love, marriage and each other. Naturally, by the laws of romantic comedies, they are perfect for each other.


In Act II, Scene I, their "merry war" against each other moves to a costume ball. Benedick, believing that his mask hides his true identity, decides to do a little detective work and find out what Beatrice really thinks of him. As they dance, Beatrice really sinks her claws into him, saying that while Benedick thinks that he is witty, everyone else finds him a complete bore. Since Benedick is pretending not to be himself, he is unable to return her jibes.


BENEDICK: I pray you, what is he?


BEATRICE: Why, he is the prince's jester: a very dull fool;
only his gift is in devising impossible slanders:
none but libertines delight in him; and the
commendation is not in his wit, but in his villany;
for he both pleases men and angers them, and then
they laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in
the fleet: I would he had boarded me.


BENEDICK: When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him what you say.


Likewise, Batman & Catwoman are also two of my favorite characters. They have had a romantic tension between them ever since Batman #1 and Catwoman is pretty much the only woman with the wit, confidence, daring and sex appeal to ever leave the caped crusader befuddled. That is why when I was trying to figure out who to cast, I thought they would be the perfect couple to play Benedick and Beatrice.