Christian Bale is an actor who needs no introduction. With several movies and accolades to his name, Bale has more than proved himself as one of the finest actors in this generation of Hollywood.
Back in 1999, during the retirement of Pierce Brosnan from the James Bond franchise, the role was offered to Bale. The Batman Begins actor outrightly refused the offer since Christian Bale thought that James Bond’s character was what’s wrong with British people!
When Christian Bale Called James Bond Stereotypical
Well, maybe Christian Bale’s not wrong. Having British actors portraying the role of James Bond over the years, people have grown accustomed to Bond drinking teas, drinking martinis, and being the perfect gentleman but a lethal killing machine.
Pierce Brosnan announced his exit from the James Bond franchise back in 1999 with his final movie The World Is Not Enough. As per the reports by Express, Christian Bale was already being eyed for the role of Bond. Producer Barbara Broccoli went to talk to Bale regarding the offer but the American Psycho actor refused outrightly.
As per Bale, James Bond was “every despicable stereotype about England and British actors”. He further talked about his 2000 film American Psycho in which he portrays the role of a serial killer and compared that role to James Bond by saying “I already played a serial killer”. Well, Christian Bale’s not the only one who thinks James Bond has become too streamlined. The Martian actor Matt Damon shares the same thoughts but he went as far as to call James Bond a misogynist!
When Matt Damon Called James Bond A Misogynist
Since Matt Damon has his own franchise of spy films, Damon stated that the character of James Bond was a misogynist who had the values from the 1960s. In an interview with GQ, the actor also implied that Bond was just a serial killer.
“I like Bourne better than Bond. Bourne has today’s values; Bond has the values of the 1960s. Daniel’s Bond has upgraded him and brought him more into the present, but, classically, that character is a misogynist who likes swilling martinis and killing people and not giving a shit.”
He further continued,
“Whereas Jason Bourne is a serial monogamist – and he’s tortured by the things he’s done and feels empathy and compassion for other people. And Bourne would obviously win in a fight.”
In the end, Christian Bale did not star in the role of James Bond which paved the way for Daniel Craig to star in the 2006 movie, Casino Royale. Daniel Craig also starred in his last Bond film, No Time to Die in 2021 as the world looks for a new actor to play the role of James Bond.
