UPDATE: Zoë Kravitz says she was rejected from The Dark Knight Rises for being too "urban"

Zoë Kravitz made her official DC universe debut in Matt Reeves’ The Batman as Catwoman (The LEGO Batman Movie doesn’t quite count), but she had her eye on being in a Batman movie for a while.

In an interview with The Guardian, the multi-hyphenate star says she tried to audition for a role in The Dark Knight Rises back in 2012, but was told she was too “urban” for it—which is code in Hollywood for “not white enough.”

Kravitz is careful not to place the blame on Christopher Nolan though, saying it “was probably casting director of some kind, or a casting director’s assistant.” She adds, “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.”

The actor had previously told Nylon about the experience, saying, “What does [her race] have to do with anything?”

Whoever decided to not go with Kravitz because she’s a woman of color is probably kicking themselves now, because there’s been plenty of positive chatter from fans about Kravitz taking on the role. She also makes a great Catwoman, bringing a balance of vulnerability, depth, and sultriness to the role.

The Batman’s final scene sets up the possibility for a sequel. Reeves said it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s creating his own Batman franchise, but if the sequel does come, there’s plenty of ground for Kravitz to delve into if she returns as Catwoman.

She told Empire last year that The Batman is an “origin story for Selina.” She explains, “It’s the beginning of her figuring out who she is, beyond just someone trying to survive. I think there’s a lot of space to grow and I think we are watching her become what I’m sure will be the femme fatale.”

UPDATE (3/8/21): Kravitz has posted a new statement on social media, clarifying her earlier comment and saying that her story had nothing to do with playing Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises (which she says “would have made no sense” for her). What really happened is that she was denied a chance to audition for “a small part” because someone said that “they were not going ‘urban’ on the part.” She doesn’t know who said it and had no intention of trying to “point fingers” or “make anyone seem racist,” especially director Christopher Nolan, the producers, or anyone involved in casting.

Kravitz says she doesn’t think anyone “meant any harm” by it, she just wanted to use it as an example of “what it was like to be a woman of color in this industry at that time.” A screenshot of her post is below.