There are many fans who hold Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy in high regard and Christian Bale’s Batman as the quintessential cinematic iteration of the character. But does Bale share the same sentiment? While making the press rounds for the Terrence Malick film Knight of Cups, the actor reflected on his time in the cape and cowl and revealed what he thought of his own performance.
Speaking with Yahoo Movies, Bale pulled a Pierce Brosnan in criticizing his previously role:
I didn’t quite manage what I hoped I would throughout the trilogy. Chris [Nolan] did, but my own sense of self is like, ‘I didn’t quite nail it.’…Heath turned up, and just kind of completely ruined all my plans. Because I went, 'He’s so much more interesting than me and what I’m doing.’
Going back to when he was filming on the set of The Dark Knight Rises, Bale’s last time in the Batsuit, he remarked how he’ll miss his time as the character. Speaking to Empire magazine (via ComicBookMovie.com), he remarked:
I've got to admit initially, even though I felt that it was the right time to stop, there was always a bit of me going, 'Oh go on... Let's do another.' So when I heard there was someone else doing it, there was a moment where I just stopped and stared into nothing for half an hour.
Ben Affleck will succeed Bale as Batman in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice before continuing on to Suicide Squad, Justice League, and whatever else this DC cinematic universe may hold — solo Batman film, perhaps? According to Affleck, Bale’s advice in playing the character was making sure his Batsuit had a zipper, presumably for those emergency bathroom breaks.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will hit theaters on March 25th.
