Many actors would love to portray James Bond, yet there is a specific casting process that must be adhered to and not everybody is willing to play the role. For example, Christian Bale turned down the role of James Bond early in the new millennium.
Ian Fleming created the prominent British secret agent in 1953, and he has since been featured in 12 novels and two collections of short stories. Despite having a readership of their own, James Bond’s cinematic adaptations helped popularize the character on a large scale.
Following the expiration of Pierce Brosnan’s contract, Bale, the British actor, was deemed one of the best candidates to portray James Bond due to his acclaimed appearance. Unexpectedly, The Dark Knight star rejected the role—which has historically only been given to British actors—because he felt it promoted negative stereotypes about the country. Well-considered thought, though!
Why Christian Bale Refused to Take on the Role of James Bond?
Christian Bale portrayed serial killer Patrick Bateman in the 1999 film American Psycho, which was based on the same-titled novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Despite not being a newcomer to the industry, having appeared in movies such as Little Women and Empire of the Sun, his breakthrough role came in American Psycho.
He, thereby, caught the attention of numerous producers and directors, who began considering him for bigger projects, including the James Bond film series. Producer of Bond films Barbara Broccoli was also drawn to Bale’s American Psycho performance, as disclosed in the book Christian Bale: The Inside Story of the Darkest Batman.
Even though Pierce Brosnan was still playing James Bond at the time, Bale, 50, was on the producers’ top list of possible replacements. In the book, Broccoli states that the role “would be Christian’s for the asking”, but he was not really interested in taking on the role because he did not want to commit to a “very British” franchise.
Bale even believed that James Bond embodied “every despicable stereotype about England and British actors” and that he had “already played a serial killer”.
Daniel Craig was ultimately cast in the role, and the rest is merely history.
Christian Bale’s Potential as a Villain in the James Bond Universe?
However, just because Christian Bale will not be donning the tuxedo and sipping martinis as 007, he can still make an impact in the James Bond universe, maybe as a villain. In fact, Bale has already established himself as a master of playing complex and compelling villains, most notably in his role as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.
His talents are limitless; he’s portrayed everything from the innocent boy next door in Little Women to the malnourished insomniac in The Machinist, who does not know what is real. Despite his history of playing villains, Patrick Bateman is perhaps the most well-known character he has played.
Subsequently, he portrayed a villainous real estate heir in John Singleton’s action movie Shaft. Bale appeared as Gorr the God Butcher, the main antagonist of Thor: Love and Thunder, an MCU installment. Gorr, whose moniker is as frightening as his appearance, ends up being one of the few aspects of the film that both reviewers and viewers can agree are worthwhile. His performance was hailed by critics as “grounded and non-campy” (via The Wrap).
Therefore, even though it is unlikely that the Oscar-winning star will ever don a tuxedo as James Bond, we can still hope that he will bring his distinct intensity and charm to the role of a Bond villain. After all, who needs to be the hero if you can take the spotlight as a bad guy? Bale as a Bond villain? Count us in!
