Collider recently spoke with Christian Bale about the opening of his new movie, The Promise. Among the topics discussed for the interview, one question that came up was Bale’s interest in working in a Marvel movie. His answer may surprise you.
No, I’m not interested in doing that. I’ve never seen — I’m trying to think if that’s correct, I think I’m actually correct, I can’t remember a single superhero film that I’ve ever watched. Apart from the ones I made and like, the Christopher Reeve Superman films.
Interesting comments from someone that defined superhero for an entire generation of movie fans. Yet I think they speak to his skill as an actor as well. Going into the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, a long time fan may have preconceived notions as to how to play the character. Bale went into the movies with his own ideas, unencumbered by the baggage the comics and previous incarnations bring to the role.
When you have characters that are as iconic as comic book characters, it can be tough to add your spin onto them. Not that it’s impossible of course but preconceived notions of characters can lead actors to play it safe which can lead to flat, uninspired performances. When you’re coming into a role with no prior knowledge of the character, depending on your skill as an actor, you’ll find ways to bring something from the role that others may not have found.
Let’s be honest. Christian Bale did such an amazing job as Bruce Wayne that even if he were a long time comic book fan, taking on another role would seem like a letdown at this point. He nailed the role of Batman in a way that only Michael Keaton had before him. Yeah, seeing him pop up in a Marvel movie would be great. Seeing him in a DC film would be great. But when you’ve played a role in a superhero movie that set the standard for how these types of movies should be made, do you really need to make more superhero movies?
So what do you think? Would you like to see Christian Bale appear in another superhero movie? Do you think his lack of interest in comic books and superheroes allowed him to add more to the role of Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight Trilogy? Sound off in the comments section below.
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SOURCE: Collider