The 9 Most Uncomfortable Superhero Suits That Actors Had To Wear

When we immerse ourselves in comic book stories, we often overlook the practicality of superhero costumes. Sure, Superman and Batman wear tight suits simply because that is the nature of their iconic characters. They’re iconic! There’s no doubt about it. If given the choice, any comic book fan would prioritize style over substance, but this choice crumbles when applying real-world logic. Sadly, that’s what Hollywood has to work with when turning drawings into live-action.

Costume designers have always faced the challenge of balancing comic-accurate and functional superhero suits. On the one hand, you give the fans what they want to see, but on the other hand, you’re dooming the actor to sweaty latex hell for weeks or even months. Thankfully, there usually is a middle point, but for now, let’s focus on the suffering.

1. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman

Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Catwoman in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns is honestly one of the wildest performances ever in superhero movies. That suit was basically made from stitched-together latex patches, which totally matched Pfeiffer’s over-the-top character. She mentioned that it was the most uncomfortable costume she’d ever worn. They had to powder her down, help her get in, and then vacuum-seal the whole thing, which sounds like an S&M kink. Pfeiffer also had to go around with those sharp claws, and she kept knicking stuff with them. The face mask was squishing her face and making it hard to breathe. They had a lot of issues to fix!