12:11pm UK, Wednesday August 04, 2004

Halle Berry and Sharon Stone shrugged off criticism of their new movie Catwoman when they attended its UK premiere.   

Instead, the Hollywood duo concentrated on praising the fans who had braved the rain in London's Leicester Square.

180 catwoman models

Models pose as Catwoman

Berry said they had been "brilliant", adding: "I love coming to premieres over here because every time I get out of a car there is such a great welcome."  

For her role as Catwoman, the Oscar-winning actress had to wear a slinky leather catsuit and carry a whip.   

She joked: "The whip was exciting, everybody on set wanted to try it".   

Stone said: "It's wonderful so many fans came to see us. They stood out in the rain so it seemed only fair that we should too". Catwoman is the latest in a long line of Hollywood films based on a comic book character.   

American critics have branded the £60m film the summer's biggest turkey.   

It took just £9.5m in its opening weekend and has had some of the worst reviews since Madonna's mega flop Swept Away.   

USA Today said Catwoman "belongs in the litter box" while the New York Post described it as "about as sexy as a hair ball."   

At the screening Berry, 37, wore a lilac ruffled dress by Versace, while her 46-year-old co-star opted for a 1920s-inspired beaded number by Ellie Katz Couture.   

Catwoman opens nationwide on August 13.