The moment a movie still of a leather-clad, goggle-wearing Hathaway was released, the internet came alive with debate over whether the costume, and indeed Hathaway, did the villainess justice.

Of course whenever an actor reprises a role in a popular movie franchise, discussions will ensue. And with the unforgettable PVC suit of predecessor Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns (1992) to contend with, it was inevitable Hathaway and the 2012 interpretation of Catwoman would attract attention.

Given the success of the previous two movies, it was a part that attracted several big Hollywood names. The 29-year-old was said to have fought off Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley and Jessica Biel forthe coveted role in the third and final instalment of Christopher Nolan’s silver screen trilogy.

And her appointment as Batman’s part-foe part-love interest proves the actress has long since shed her Disney-esque persona.

Starring alongside Julie Andrews, Hathaway made a promising film debut over a decade ago as Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries (2001). The story follows her transition from an awkward high school student to heir to the throne of a small European country, and drew in the crowds at the box office.

Leads in family-orientated films continued for the next three years and in 2004, she once again became princess Mia in the sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. And in keeping with the fairytale genre starred in Ella Enchanted the same year.

Hathaway’s next role, however, proved a defining moment in her career – which up until this point had stayed within the confines of family-friendly viewing. Taking on the much more adult role in the multi-Oscar winning Brokeback Mountain (2005), saw the young actress playing rodeo rider Lureen Newsome, unwittingly caught up in the complex relationship that exists between her husband Jack (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) and his friend Enis (the late Heath Ledger). Due to the adult nature of the film, Hathaway managed to shed any previous typecasts by smoking and appearing nude. She was now no longer the preserve of ‘happily ever after’s’.

Although the 2006 production of The Devil Wears Prada was a very different sort of movie, in many respects it proved similarly monumental. Once again people sat up and noticed, but for different reasons. The previous role as unexpected as it was; had been a supporting one. In The Devil Wears Prada, she shares the screen with actress heavyweight Meryl Streep. Here Hathaway plays put-upon fashion assistant Andie McDowell to Streep’s formidable Miranda Priestly, apparently inspired by Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Grossing more than US$300 million, the film proved a huge box office success and was another notch on the young actress’s belt.

From a very fashion forward film, Hathaway’s next project saw her strapped into 18th century corsetry as she played writer Jane Austen in Becoming Jane. While there was some criticism that an American actress should play a quintessential English rose, the film’s director Julian Jarrold, and her co-star and on-screen love interest, James McAvoy, were staunch in their praise, referring to her as a ‘real Austenite’.

In 2008, Hathaway starred in Get Smart followed by the less successful Passengers. But it was Rachel Getting Married, released the same year, that saw Hathaway's career evolve again.

Directed by Jonathan Demme, the film follows character Kym’s release from rehab to attend her sister’s wedding, which creates mounting tension between the siblings before reconcilement. Hathaway’s performance in this small budget film was praised by critics and the film itself appeared in dozens of listings for the top movies of the year. Newsweek praised Hathaway stating: “She makes Kym’s inner torment so palpable you can’t help but feel for her, however insufferable she may be. It’s a terrific performance.” And the award bodies agreed. Among them, the Academy Awards, who commended her performance with a nomination for Best Actress (which she lost to Kate Winslet in The Reader).

Two years later, Hathaway was in the Oscar spotlight once again when she co-hosted the 83rd ceremony with James Franco – an indication if any, that her place in Hollywood had been cemented.