Even though it’s more likely than not a rumor based on spurious speculation and wrapped inside wishful thinking, the story that blasted around the Web a few days ago saying that Christopher Nolan was thinking about casting Cher as Catwoman in the next Batman film, is worth a pause. Would this be stunt casting? Absolutely. Would it work? Hell, yes.

For one, think about how Nolan went out on a limb to cast Ledger against type and was rewarded many times over with the first truly disturbing screen incarnation of the Joker we’ve ever seen. Then think about how every other version of Catwoman has been some variation (good and bad) on the same old purring dangerous sex kitten cliche. Bringing in Cher to play something “like a vamp in her twilight years” not only goes in a whole new direction, it also has the potential to elevate the character to something real and quite beyond a latex-suited fanboy fantasy.

And let’s not forget that even though Cher’s a diva who just can’t seem to stop performing all those farewell concerts, she did win that Oscar and is no slouch as an actress. So on the off-chance that this rumor turns out to be true, it could well turn out to be one of the most inspired casting coups in history.

On the other hand, they could go with the obvious sex-bomb choice like Angelina Jolie (as some rumors have been claiming), which could be interesting, but only if the lady has decided to try acting again, which given her recent work, doesn’t seem too likely…