Christian Bale Will Only Return as Batman Under 1 Condition


Christian Bale in ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’
Warner Bros Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Dark Knight rises … again? Christian Bale said he’d be willing to slip into his Batman cowl again, but it would have to be under very specific circumstances.

“No one’s ever mentioned it to me. No one’s brought it up,” Bale, 48, told ScreenRantInterview published Monday, June 27, 2012. “Occasionally people say to me, ‘Oh, I hear you were approached and offered all this.’ And I’m like, ‘That’s news to me. No one’s ever said that.’”

The actor — who starred as billionaire vigilante Bruce Wayne in 2005’s Batman Begins, 2008’sThe Dark Knight and 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises — said he’d only return if he could reunite with director Christopher Nolan.

Christian Bale Will Only Return Batman Under 1 Condition

Christian Bale in ‘The Dark Knight.’
Moviestore/Shutterstock

“I had a pact with Chris Nolan,” Bale revealed. “We said, ‘Hey, look. Let’s make three films, if we’re lucky enough to get to do that. And then let’s walk away. Let’s not linger too long.’ In my mind, it would be something if Chris Nolan ever said to himself, ‘You know what, I’ve got another story to tell.’ And if he wished to tell that story with me, I’d be in.”

Since Bale’s departure, there have been several different actors in the role. Ben Affleck played an older version of the character in 2016’sBatman v. Superman – Dawn of Justice and 2017’s Justice League While Robert Pattinson played one of the youngest big screen iterations of the superhero in February’s The Batman. Although Warner Bros. has already approved a sequel to the film, Twilight star, there’s always room for more Batmen.

Michael KeatonHe will be reprising his role as Wayne Enterprises CEO for two upcoming projects, including the long-awaited The Flash film, due out in June 2023, and HBO Max’s Batgirl movie, which doesn’t yet have a release date.

The BirdmanStar had thought of returning to the role many times, so when the opportunity presented, he had no choice but to check if it was worth the risk.

“‘What would that be like?’ or ‘What if I had to do that again?’” he told Variety‘s “Awards Circuit” podcast in December 2021. “I was approached, and just because I was curious didn’t mean I wanted to do it. So it took a long time, frankly … I’m not just gonna say I’ll do it. It must be good. And there has to be a reason.”

Keaton added, “It wasn’t like you had to talk me into it exactly, it was just, ‘Is this thing any good?’”

When asked if he was nervous about return as the Dark Knight, Keaton explained, “Honestly, it was fun. That’s the only word I can come up with — fun.”

While his return as Batman isn’t planned yet, Bale is moving from DC to Marvel. He plays the role of Gorr the God Butcher, a villainous character. Thor: Love and ThunderThe film will be released in theaters on July 8th. Chris HemsworthAnd Natalie Portman.

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