February 8th, 2011
08:17 PM ET
Christian Bale fights back: 'Fighter' weight loss wasn't a 'gimmick'He's made a career out of changing his appearance with each movie role, but don't dare call Christian Bale's recent transformation a "gimmick." Defending his recent weight loss for the critically acclaimed "The Fighter," Oscar nominee Bale reportedly told the Australian edition of Empire magazine, "'To be honest, I find it laughable that it's considered to be some f—ing gimmick — it's so patronizing. For God's sake, do people not understand what a pain it is to do? It's as though it's some comment about, 'Oh it's easy for him, because he's done it a bunch of times.' It's not easy, it's not fun — it's horrible." In fact, Bale, who plays troubled boxer Dicky Eklund in "The Figher," says, "I would never pick to do that, but it's a part that I like and he's a welterweight and he's a crackhead. I don't know about you, but I've never seen a welterweight with any fat on him — or a crackhead. So it's just what you end up having to do." Bale, who dropped 70 pounds for his role in 2004's "The Machinist," concludes his tirade by saying, "Somebody told me that somebody wrote something about my 'trademark weight loss.' I'd just like to p- on that guy's shoes." Okay, then. Anyone think Bale may be overreacting?
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i c bail,he my ideal..
No, he isn't over reacting. To call that easy is just BS. If it was so easy to lose so much weight, millions of people wouldn't struggle with it and obesity wouldn't be a problem.
Living in a constant state of irrationality is what happens when you're a vegetarian.
In real life, Batman plays an actor named Christian Bale. He takes no prisoners.
Since when is dedication and a desire to be authentic a gimmick? And I've seen Terminator:Salvation (oh, my eyes) and Bale was right to go off because clearly he had just realized he'd signed to be in a McG crapfest.
Ooh, he's so angry. Grrrrrrr. *paws at Christian Bale*
Id like to see him play Java the Hut. How much weight can you gain Bale?
I like this guys acting, 1st class, but all the BS he hands out inbetween makes him a dweeb.. Ever notice how many of these Hollywood actors are pint sized. Little people scare me. They have that "short mans" mentality. Alan Ladd wore lifts in his shoes so he could look his leading ladies in the eyes instead of staring at their boobs. Check out how many "little" guys are in the movies. The young Actor's and actresses are so full of themselves, they actually thing their revalent in this world. They live in a fantacy world, make big money for doing nothing, give themsevles award after award, donate "some" of their earings to charity just to look good or for tax deductions. Expect, demand to be waited on. give me a freaking break. It must be tough being an actor'actress. Take a lesson on being a professional, aka Anthony Hopkins
Bale is over 6 feet tall.
Mr. Bale always brings so much dedication to his roles, it is always a pleasure to see his work.
Over reacting? hahaha wow – this is the problem with over opinionated bloggers. . His passion in his work is greatly admired by me and it seems like many others in this thread.
I think that ever since that recording of Bale yelling, the media has tried to paint him as a bad guy. Using the word "Tirade" or asking a leading question like "Okay, then. Anyone think Bale may be overreacting?" is meant to put Bale under a certain light and lead us to think he's an jerk. Thats not your job as a reporter. All Bale did from what i see, is answer a question. Would you have used those techniques if it were someone else? No. Reporting is supposed to be as unbiased as possible. Let us draw our own conclusions without you pathetically trying to lead us there.
would you like for me to explain for you the difference between 'reporting' and 'blogging'? because they are, if not polar opposites, vastly different.
Christian Bale in The Fighter created one of the most stunning supporting performances ever captured on film. What a talented man!
Christian Bale is a phenomenal actor. I first saw him in Swing Kids, then he flew back onto my radar with American Psycho and The Machinist. It's a very rare actor who is so devoted to accurately depicting their character. Just like DeNiro actually got tattooed (albeit w/ temp veg. dye) and paid to have his teeth messed up for his role in Cape Fear, Bale frequently makes the same sort of radical changes for his roles.
He got down to around 120lbs for his role in The Machinist. He also lost 55lbs for his role in Rescue Dawn (btw the only scene in that movie where a stunt double was used was during the actual plane crash). He's dedicated AND he's talented, which makes him a very rare bird, indeed.
Christian Bale is an incredible actor, he's really an artist. He takes his roles in movies very seriously and he dives in to each role with a passion like no other actor I have ever seen. So when people take aim at that passion and cal it a gimmick, should anyone be surprised at all the Christian gets upset? I mean come one people, loosing 70 pounds in order to make his performance more believable shows a man dedicated to his work.
Christian takes his work seriously and it shows in his performances on screen. The honest truth is no one, except his family and friends know what the man is really like as a person, because he keeps his private life and on screen life separated. Christian gave an incredible interview a while back in GQ gave a lot of insight in to how hard the man works to be the best he can be on screen while keeping his private life, well private. Ultimately though it shows that the guy is beyond gimmicks.
Bale is the man. He acts, he gets into his job, and all he asks for is some decency. Who's the jerk who thinks that's way out of line? Anybody who's been trying to lose that 'last five pounds' cant relate to the degree of conviction he possesses.
He should remake the Contender– that way he can get fat and they we'll all think he's as awesome as DeNiro.. no really tho, he's one of my favorite guys in movies..
What lazy and nonsensical reporting from Empire Magazine! I'm totally on Bale's side. He was wonderful in The Fighter and completely deserving of a recognition.
This guy is a really good actor and what he does to transform his body for his roles is nothing short of incredible. That said, though, these actors in general are so full of themselves it's ridiculous. They play pretend for a living and they seem to think they're curing cancer or something – and most of us, with our "hero"-worshipping culture – contribute to their perceptions of themselves as more that they really are. Same problem with professional athletes.
He's a friggin' actor. It's all a gimmick.
Yeah, I think Jack Black or some other undisciplined fatazz that just shows up the first day of shooting and reads his lines would have been way better. "Roll eyes". Pretty sure Bale would cuss at me for 20 minutes if I crossed his path and interupted his thoughts, but also sure that if you see "The Boxer" or any of his other movies, you get to see an artist working his guts out to produce the best product.
Maybe he could retreat back into the hot steamy G A Y bars from whence he came.
I wish more people were as dedicated to their jobs. Maybe he could teach classes on weight loss to all the police and sheriff departments.
I agree, that's dedication, not overreacting. And for people to suggest that he gains and loses a lot of weight because it's "his thing" is so airbrained it would make me angry as well.
@Bill- He wasnt in the Illusiounist. He was in the Prestiege. Which was wayyy better than The Illusionist.
Sorry bout that.... The Prestige... not the first time I have confused the two....
I don't think he overreacting. I think he just dedicated.
Actually mark Marino, we don't think he's overreacting.
including the critic that wrote that, all critics need to find a proper job and you write is he over reacting, are u trying to lose weight yourself maybe u need tips from Mr bale. I just hope the guy who said it gets to meet bale one day
@ Bill...Mazeltov!
Christian Bale is one of the best... American PSYCO / The Machinest / The illusionist...love this guy and his dedication. He is up there with Pacino and Deniro. He is almost unrecognizable in the machinest, in a role that he lost 85 lbs at least. He has gotten some bad press by some arshole who leaked a tape of him going off on a dopey production assistant who was ruining his concentration. He give 100% on the set, and expects everyone else to be on the same program. That is why his movies are worth watching, and not some horse-crap cranked out for a paycheck. ie. jack black/ SANDLER / ZOHAN etc.
@Bill – It wasn't "some dopey production assistant" that Bale went off on, it was the director of photography. Arguably the second most important person on set, after the director. An argument can still be had whether Bale was in the right, but let's get our facts straight first. My thoughts is that while Bale appears to have been in the right in general, his over-the-top rant and threats went beyond what's acceptable behaviour, regardless of how much the DoP broke his concentration.
Stan, for all that ranting at the DoP, his acting was nothing to brag about, and the flick (Terminator) blew dead dog.
@Stan Gellner – From what I hear about the D.o.P – Bale's rant was karma coming back around. My brother-in-law has worked with that D.o.P. many times and he gives as good as got. He yells at everyone for anything and sometimes for nothing. I just feel bad that Bale got caught giving him what he dishes out.
CBale was in The Prestige, not The illusionist. The Prestige = awesome film, also starring Hugh Jackman. The Illusionist = awful film starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel.
he's grouchy because he's hungry
Christian Bale is a good actor, but I'm wondering why the role didn't go to someone who falls into the right weight range, not someone who has to lose 70 ils. That seems harmful to the body to repeatedly do that to himself.
He didn't lose 70 lbs. for The Fighter – he lost that for The Machinist. (Which is a great movie, if you haven't seen it.) But he was MUCH thinner in The Machinist – it was disturbing to see all of his bones poking out and him looking so gaunt.
His temper make him almost $exy
Christian Bale is a pimp
That's the kind of reaction it takes to remind people of what idiots they're becoming.
It is dedication to the project.
No, he's not overreacting-he's hungry!
Give the man a steak and some shrimp from the barbie he earned it for making such a good movie
he's welsh, not austrian. :facepalm:
(it's another eurojoke.)
The Jocker died heres a message for the next Battman lol,he didn't mind that edgy Juvi story "some Juvis that were wanted majorly" he like that story very interesting ,ahh Kurt Sutter's from Jersey "Procuer" when the pulled the Juvi's over "Troopers were white and black" we think they got pulled right on the Jeresey Turnpike,coming from a very tight Artist.
^on the floor NGR!! show me your hands and stay flat down on the floor NGR!! move your left hand towards your and stay face flat down NGR!!^
^ALL GLOCKS^
^adult desk fire and opera^
I agree with Bale. Quit being cynical people. The guy has passion.
THAT WAS MY FIRST THOUGHT!