Christian Bale, who played Batman in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, has revealed what it would take for him to consider suiting up as the Caped Crusader again.

Originally appearing as Bruce Wayne in 2005’s Batman Begins, Christian Bale went on to appear as Gotham’s watchful guardian in two more films directed by Christopher Nolan – The Dark Knight in 2008 and The Dark Knight Rises in 2012. The latter saw him bow out of the role, ending with a retirement of sorts for Bruce Wayne, while he passed on the duties of Batman to Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake (or “Robin”). Now Bale has touched on what it would take for him to step back into the role.

The Dark Knight Returns?

While promoting his latest film, Thor: Love and Thunder, in which he trades Batman’s heroics for Gorr the God Butcher’s villainy, Christian Bale spoke about going back to the role of Batman. While he dispelled rumors he had previously been approached about donning the cape and cowl again, Bale revealed that the request would have to come straight from Christopher Nolan in order for him to agree to return.

Natalie Portman On Wearing Her Mighty Thor Suit For The First Time

Speaking to Screen Rant, Christian Bale revealed how he and Christopher Nolan approached the work they did with Batman, agreeing to wrap things up with no more than three films. However, Bale said that should Nolan have an idea for another Batman story, he would be willing to return:

“No one’s brought [playing Batman again] up. … Occasionally people say to me, ‘Oh, I hear you were approached and offered all this.’ And I’m like, ‘That’s news to me. No one’s ever said that.’
“I had a pact with Chris Nolan. We said, ‘Hey, look. Let’s make three films, if we’re lucky enough to get to do that. And then let’s walk away. Let’s not linger too long.’ In my mind, it would be something if Chris Nolan ever said to himself, ‘You know what, I’ve got another story to tell.’ And if he wished to tell that story with me, I’d be in.”

Since Christian Bale made his last Batman film, the role has been played by both Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson on the big screen. Christopher Nolan has since gone on to direct Interstellar, Dunkirk and Tenet. His next film, Oppenheimer, about the creation of the atomic bomb, is due for release next year.

Taika Waititi On ‘Thor: Love And Thunder’ Multiverse Theories

Here is the synopsis for Christian Bale’s latest film, Thor: Love and Thunder:

The film finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

Directed by Taika Waititi and produced by Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, the film stars Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson, Taika Waititi, Russell Crowe, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper.

Thor: Love and Thunder hits theaters on July 8, 2022. Stay tuned for all the latest news surrounding Christian Bale and the upcoming Thor film, and subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.

Source: Screen Rant