Anne Hathaway revealed in the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast that she spent a full week preparing for the Harley Quinn character before meeting with Christopher Nolan for "The Dark Knight Rises." Hathaway believed that Nolan was considering her to play one of Batman's villains. Therefore, she used that time to try to capture the essence of Harley Quinn.

Hathaway expressed that she didn't learn until two hours after the meeting that Nolan was actually discussing the Catwoman role with her. This adds an intriguing layer to Hathaway's approach to the character and her preparation process. Nolan's explanation of Catwoman came as a big surprise to Hathaway, highlighting the depth of communication between the two.

Such preparation processes serve as an important example of how actors bring their characters to life. Hathaway's interest in Harley Quinn may have also heightened audience expectations for this character. Additionally, Nolan's creative processes and interactions with actors remain fascinating topics in the world of cinema.