Ross King: Is the Catwoman out of the bag? Michelle Pfeiffer hints she may squeeze into THAT suit again

It may well be his most difficult acting role yet.

Hollywood nice guy Tom Hanks is like a modern-day Jimmy Stewart – he’s loved by almost everyone and plays such wholesome characters very well.

If the rumours out here are true then he might be set for a real departure.

He is in negotiations to play Elvis Presley’s iconic manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in a biopic about the legendary musician.

Parker discovered Presley when he was still an unknown musician in Tennessee, and quickly moved in as his lone representation.

He was responsible for various milestones in The King’s life, including Presley’s record deal with RCA and his acting career.

Parker was a really controlling figure though, and many Elvis fans consider him to be a negative influence in Presley’s life.

When I chatted with Dolly Parton, she told me Elvis was going to record I Will Always Love You until Colonel Tom told Dolly that he and Presley would then own half the song.

She refused.

Barbra Streisand also told me they talked to Elvis about starring opposite her in A Star Is Born but the Colonel wasn’t keen…possibly because he didn’t want Elvis to be seen as a star on the wane on screen.

The movie is a project by Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge director, Baz Luhrman, so it’s bound to be quite an exciting prospect.

I’m fascinated by Colonel Parker and reckon Hanks would be a great choice.

Maybe it will explore why he never got a promotion to become Brigadier Parker…

Meanwhile, could Michelle Pfeiffer be returning as Catwoman?

Well, sort of.

Last week she posted a video on social media, menacingly brandishing her old Catwoman whip.

“Look what I found,” she purred, looking quite mischevious.

“Needs a little TLC.”

She then posted a vid of herself cracking the whip towards the camera.

Michelle actually did all her own whip work in Batman Returns back in 1992.

I can’t believe that was 27 years ago now – although a lot of men will remember the performance quite, quite vividly. She was so handy with the whip, and even managed to cut the heads of a number of mannequins in a single take in one memorable scene.

I’ll remember that the next time I’m interviewing her – I mustn’t ask any cheeky questions.

Will Michelle dig out the old leather catsuit, too?

If she does I have a word of warning for her – I found some leather trousers which used to fit me back in the ’80s recently and thought I’d give them a whirl again.

There were some cracking issues, and I don’t mean the old leather.

Ahem! I just want to thank the Los Angeles Fire Department for a loan of their cutting equipment, and their ongoing discretion…