Christian Bale has been one of the most fascinating actors to witness on screen due to his dedication and commitment to presenting himself differently every time. He is ready to put his heart, mind, and soul into every project and is known for his drastic physical transformations in his films throughout the years.
His breakout role was in Steven Spielberg’s 1987 film Empire of the Sun, which made him an overnight sensation. Unfortunately, with fame came a terrible consequence for young Bale at the time, as he was constantly bullied by his classmates for years.
Christian Bale’s Fame From Empire of The Sun Had Dire Consequences
As a child actor, Christian Bale starred in many commercials and plays in schools. While he initially was interested in acting, he slowly and surely found enjoyment in it. His minor role in the film Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna would prove to be significant as the lead star of the film Amy Irving, who was married to Steven Spielberg at the time, would recommend Bale to the director for Empire of the Sun.
In Empire of the Sun, Bale played Jamie Graham, a young kid who is separated from his parents after Shanghai is invaded by Japan during World War II. It became his breakthrough role and at age 13, he became a movie star. However, fame and recognition would bring dire consequences as the actor recollected the harsh experience he faced after the film came out.
Bale told The Sun that his classmates in school grew jealous of his newfound fame and would constantly bully him. He stated that he was punched and kicked for several years. He called it a miserable and hellish experience, something he would probably want to forget. He said,
“I took a beating from several boys for years. They put me through hell, punching and kicking me.”
Empire of the Sun was nominated for six Oscars including for Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Original Music Score, and Sound. It placed Bale on the radar of many filmmakers and he slowly worked his way to become one of the most celebrated actors of his generation. Fans can watch/rent the film on Amazon Prime.
Christian Bale Thinks He’s Not a Suitable Candidate For a Rom-Com
Throughout his career, Christian Bale has mostly played edgy, dark, and brooding characters who are extremely layered. Even his turn as Batman was a serious and character-driven one. He has gained a reputation for his physical transformations to play complex characters. When he was approached by a studio to do a romantic comedy some years ago, Bale thought they were crazy.
Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan’s Movie is the Reason Why Timothée Chalamet is a Hollywood Star
In an interview with The Guardian, Bale stated that he does not see himself playing a romantic hero or starring in romantic comedies. When the reporter of The Guardian named When Harry Met Sally as an example of a good rom-com, Bale claimed the fact that great rom-coms like that rarely exist anymore today. He said,
“That’s going back quite a ways, isn’t it? You’re hard-pressed. I was asked to do a romantic comedy recently and I thought they’d lost their minds. Cats have those insane half-hours every evening. I think it must have been that for the production company. I don’t know why anyone would ever offer me a romantic comedy.”
Bale is gearing up to play another complex role as he is set to play Frankenstein’s monster in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. He will be shaving his head for the film and will star alongside Jessie Buckley, Annette Bening, Penelope Cruz, and Peter Sarsgaard.
