Variety reports today that Ashley Judd has agreed to appear as Catwoman, in a new film that, according to Variety's Michael Fleming, is 'being rapidly developed at Warner Bros.'  Ever since Michelle Pffeifer played the felonious feline to great effect, Warners has had a Catwoman project in development, but so far the only result has been a long list of frustrated screenwriters.  John Rogers is the latest designated writer associated with this project, and with a high profile star already signed on, it appears that this time there is a pretty good chance that we will get a chance to see the slinky seductress on the silver screen, but the long-threatened strike by Hollywood writers and actors means that even 'fast track' projects are no sure thing at this point. Warners would like to act quickly to take advantage of Ms. Judd's current high profile.  Ms. Judd's heavily promoted romantic comedy, Someone Like You, which co-stars Hugh (Wolverine) Jackman, opened in the second spot at the box office last weekend, bringing in a respectable $10.3 million.

Warner Bros. currently has two other Batman projects in development.  Batman Year One appears to be the farthest along.  Darren Aronofsky, the innovative helmer of Pi and Requiem for a Dream, will direct this 'prequel' to the other Batman films. The second Batman project is Batman Beyond, which is based on the animated series by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett.  Set forty years in the future, Batman Beyond depicts Bruce Wayne grooming a successor who will become the next Caped Crusader.  Boaz Yakin, who directed Remember the Titans, is developing this project.