With Public Enemies coming up, I couldn't help but think about Christian Bale. He's certainly come a long way.
Ever since capturing our hearts in his stunning debut as James Graham in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun at only 13 years old, Welsh-born thespian Christian Bale has been establishing himself as a credible actor, proving that his incredible performance in Empire of the Sun is no accident. I loved the movie, it was so sad, so poignant, so very depressing. But on the other hand, it was also a movie on hope.
But anyway, in the days after Empire, I often wondered about Christian Bale. Was I gonna see him in the movies again? Back then, mind you, there wasn't the Internet yet, so I couldn't google him. Eventually, I did see him onscreen again, in Swing Kids. Since then, I remember seeing him in Little Women, Velvet Goldmine, and more.
Choosing diverse roles and going the distance to prepare for each movie, Bale has built up an impressive portfolio of movies.Iwas extremely pleased to see him cast as the Dark Knight. He have just enough intensity to play the troubled Bruce Wayne. Whatever shit he got into for his outburst during the shoot for Terminator, I'm still a fan, for the sheer fact that he's one helluva talented actor.
I've done some digging and found some interesting facts about the talented Welsh.
1. Debut with Rowan Atkinson
Christian Bale started his showbiz career modestly; by appearing in television commercials at age 9 - the most memorable one being a Pac Man cereal commercial. He then followed in his sister, Louise's, footsteps, and ventured into theatre workshops. It is from there that he made his professional debut as an actor, opposite British comedian Rowan Atkinson on the London West End stage in The Nerd, a stage comedy.
2. A stunning beginning
For his breakout role in Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, Bale beat out some 4000 kids for the coveted role of James Graham. His performance bowled over many critics, so much so that he received a special citation for Best performance by a Juvenile Actor from the National Board of Review, an award especially created for his performance.
3. The Welsh American Psycho
For the role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, the book's author Bret Easton Ellis, as well as the movie director Mary Harron, handpicked Bale to play the deeply disturbed homicidal maniac working on the New York stock exchange. He almost lost the role to Leonardo Dicaprio.
4. The man of all accents
Bale is Welsh born, but his original accent is hardly heard on films. He uses a different accent in each film that he is in. His real accent can be heard on 1997's Metroland, a movie based on the novel by Julian Barnes.
5. The man of Little Women
Bale was handpicked by Winona Ryder to star in 1994 remake of Little Women where he played the coveted role of Laurie. It was on the production set that Bale met his wife, Sandra Blazic, Winona Ryder's personal assistant then. The pair married in 2000 and Blazic gave birth to the couple's first child in April this year.
6. Anything for the role
An intensely dedicated actor, Bale dropped an astonishing 63 pounds for his role in 2004's The Machinist, as an emaciated insomniac. He shed the weight with help from just one single vitamin consultation with a nutritionist. For his drastic weight change, he only ate salads and apples, chewed plenty of gum, drank lots of non-fat lattes and smoked tons of cigarettes. Immediately after filming wrapped up, he started to work out to beef up for his role as Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins.
7. A caring soul
Christian Bale is known for his compassion. He supports a variety of causes, including Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Foundation, Ark Trust, the Redwings Sanctuary and the Happy Child Mission, which is a school for kids in Rio De Janeiro. Because of his charity work and popularity, he was invited by Disney to present the Environment Award for Discover Magazine.
8. The chosen cape crusader
Like his role in Empire of the Sun, it wasn't easy being the new Batman; Bale beat out many veteran actors for the desirable role. Actors that were considered for the role include Guy Pearce, Ashton Kutcher, John Cusack, David Duchovny, Joshua Jackson, Billy Crudup and Jake Gyllenhaal.
9. Fiercely Private Bale
If you are wondering why there is so little known on Christian Bale, it's because the actor is huge on privacy. He has said, '"I don't want to know about the lives of other actors and I don't want people to know too much about me. If we don't know about the private lives of other actors, that leaves us as clean slates when it comes to playing characters. That's the point, they can create these other characters and I can believe them. I think if you're a good enough actor, that's the way to longevity in the film business. Keep everybody guessing."
10. Sinking into depression
Before he made The Machinist, Bale confessed to have sunk into depression. He was feeling regretful of some wrong choices that he has made and spent weeks staring at the wall of his house. Then he was handed the script to The Machinist, and thought that it was the perfect role to pull him out of his depression. And thank goodness, it did!
Ever since capturing our hearts in his stunning debut as James Graham in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun at only 13 years old, Welsh-born thespian Christian Bale has been establishing himself as a credible actor, proving that his incredible performance in Empire of the Sun is no accident. I loved the movie, it was so sad, so poignant, so very depressing. But on the other hand, it was also a movie on hope.
But anyway, in the days after Empire, I often wondered about Christian Bale. Was I gonna see him in the movies again? Back then, mind you, there wasn't the Internet yet, so I couldn't google him. Eventually, I did see him onscreen again, in Swing Kids. Since then, I remember seeing him in Little Women, Velvet Goldmine, and more.
Choosing diverse roles and going the distance to prepare for each movie, Bale has built up an impressive portfolio of movies.Iwas extremely pleased to see him cast as the Dark Knight. He have just enough intensity to play the troubled Bruce Wayne. Whatever shit he got into for his outburst during the shoot for Terminator, I'm still a fan, for the sheer fact that he's one helluva talented actor.
I've done some digging and found some interesting facts about the talented Welsh.
1. Debut with Rowan Atkinson
Christian Bale started his showbiz career modestly; by appearing in television commercials at age 9 - the most memorable one being a Pac Man cereal commercial. He then followed in his sister, Louise's, footsteps, and ventured into theatre workshops. It is from there that he made his professional debut as an actor, opposite British comedian Rowan Atkinson on the London West End stage in The Nerd, a stage comedy.
2. A stunning beginning
For his breakout role in Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, Bale beat out some 4000 kids for the coveted role of James Graham. His performance bowled over many critics, so much so that he received a special citation for Best performance by a Juvenile Actor from the National Board of Review, an award especially created for his performance.
3. The Welsh American Psycho
For the role of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, the book's author Bret Easton Ellis, as well as the movie director Mary Harron, handpicked Bale to play the deeply disturbed homicidal maniac working on the New York stock exchange. He almost lost the role to Leonardo Dicaprio.
4. The man of all accents
Bale is Welsh born, but his original accent is hardly heard on films. He uses a different accent in each film that he is in. His real accent can be heard on 1997's Metroland, a movie based on the novel by Julian Barnes.
5. The man of Little Women
Bale was handpicked by Winona Ryder to star in 1994 remake of Little Women where he played the coveted role of Laurie. It was on the production set that Bale met his wife, Sandra Blazic, Winona Ryder's personal assistant then. The pair married in 2000 and Blazic gave birth to the couple's first child in April this year.
6. Anything for the role
An intensely dedicated actor, Bale dropped an astonishing 63 pounds for his role in 2004's The Machinist, as an emaciated insomniac. He shed the weight with help from just one single vitamin consultation with a nutritionist. For his drastic weight change, he only ate salads and apples, chewed plenty of gum, drank lots of non-fat lattes and smoked tons of cigarettes. Immediately after filming wrapped up, he started to work out to beef up for his role as Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins.
7. A caring soul
Christian Bale is known for his compassion. He supports a variety of causes, including Greenpeace, the World Wildlife Foundation, Ark Trust, the Redwings Sanctuary and the Happy Child Mission, which is a school for kids in Rio De Janeiro. Because of his charity work and popularity, he was invited by Disney to present the Environment Award for Discover Magazine.
8. The chosen cape crusader
Like his role in Empire of the Sun, it wasn't easy being the new Batman; Bale beat out many veteran actors for the desirable role. Actors that were considered for the role include Guy Pearce, Ashton Kutcher, John Cusack, David Duchovny, Joshua Jackson, Billy Crudup and Jake Gyllenhaal.
9. Fiercely Private Bale
If you are wondering why there is so little known on Christian Bale, it's because the actor is huge on privacy. He has said, '"I don't want to know about the lives of other actors and I don't want people to know too much about me. If we don't know about the private lives of other actors, that leaves us as clean slates when it comes to playing characters. That's the point, they can create these other characters and I can believe them. I think if you're a good enough actor, that's the way to longevity in the film business. Keep everybody guessing."
10. Sinking into depression
Before he made The Machinist, Bale confessed to have sunk into depression. He was feeling regretful of some wrong choices that he has made and spent weeks staring at the wall of his house. Then he was handed the script to The Machinist, and thought that it was the perfect role to pull him out of his depression. And thank goodness, it did!
No comments:
Post a Comment