Hathaway explained that the hours she spent in the gym toning her body were important to physically embody the role of Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan's final Batman film.
© PA Images
© Warner Bros.
"It wasn't just about looking a certain way. I had to learn how to fight. I had to become strong," the actress said, reports Parade.
Hathaway also addressed the expectations that come with taking on an iconic role like Catwoman.
"I feel in situations like this - I don't know what other actresses have gone through - but sometimes there's a mandate that comes to you and deals with how you have to look," she explained.
"The way I was treated on this movie was, 'Learn how to do what you need to do and then however you look, that's the way the character looks'. And I felt, as a woman, very protected in that way."
© Warner Bros.
Hathaway previously suggested that landing a role in The Dark Knight Rises was a dream come true.
"I couldn't believe that this was even an opportunity made available to me and then when I actually got it I, I mean it… it's a little bit too good to be true," the star admitted.
The Dark Knight Rises is released in cinemas on July 20.
Watch a Dark Knight Rises trailer below:
