This month, Christian Bale’s newest movieVicewill be hitting the big screen. As a political drama,Christian Balehas been touching on politics during his various interviews for the movie. In regard toDonald Trump, Bale recently revealed that he met the future president of the United States back in 2011 when he was still a reality television star. At the time, Bale had been filming in Trump Tower forThe Dark Knight Rises, when he was summoned to Trump’s private office. When formally meeting Trump, Bale was surprised to be treated as Bruce Wayne himself, rather than an actor playing him in a movie.
“I think he thought I was Bruce Wayne, because I was dressed asBruce Wayne. So he talked to me like I was Bruce Wayne and I just went along with it, really. It was quite entertaining. I had no idea at the time that he would think about running for president.”
While we have no way of knowing for sure what was going on in Trump’s mind, we can presume he knowsBatmanis not actually real. Otherwise, he might have called Bale to offer Bruce Wayne a spot in his cabinet. Perhaps Trump wanted to immerse himself into the Batman canon by imagining himself having an actual chat with the Caped Crusader. Maybe he assumed Bale was a method actor intent on never breaking character, even when the cameras aren’t rolling. In any case, the current president once frollicked with “Bruce Wayne” in his office at Trump Tower for no apparent reason other than to entertain himself.
Christopher Nolan’s movieThe Dark Knight Riseswould turn out to be the final time Bale ever donned the batsuit. Marking the end ofThe Dark Knight trilogy, the role of Batman would later go to Ben Affleck when the character was reimagined forBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Although Affleck would reprise the part inJustice League, rumor is the role will be recast once again for the planned Batman solo movie from director Matt Reeves. With constant script rewrites and no production start date yet set, chances are it will be a while before this project comes to fruition, if it does so at all.
As for Bale, his next major role is offormer vice president Dick Cheneyin this month’sVice. Due to hit theaters everywhere on Dec. 25, the movie features Bale looking far different than we’ve ever seen him before. Taking on the role meant gaining weight, which was nothing new for Bale. The actor reportedly lost 63 pounds for a role inThe Machinist, before turning around and putting another 100 back on in six months time forBatman Begins. Each time, Bale achieved his weight goals alone, but forVice, the actor actually hired a nutritionist to assist him. Whatever he did worked, because Bale is practically unrecognizable in the new role.
It’s a shame Trump didn’t meet Bale while the latter was in makeup forVice. Would the president have believed he was speaking with Dick Cheney? It’s certainly humorous to think about. This information comes to us fromVariety.
