American Psycho star Christian Bale has beaten a roster of up and coming Hollywood actors for the coveted starring role in a new Batman flick, set for release in 2005.
A flood of rising stars, including The Good Girl star Jake Gyllenhaal, Billy Crudup from Almost Famous and Joshua Jackson of Dawson's Creek fame, had screen tested for the part last week, but it was the charismatic Welsh-born actor Christian who emerged on top.
Memento filmmaker Christopher Nolan, who will direct the new movie, said the 29-year-old hunk is the perfect man to don Batman's famous mask. "What I see in Christian is the ultimate embodiment of Bruce Wayne," Nolan said in a statement. "He has exactly the balance of darkness and light that we are looking for."
It's 2005 release date means that the new Batman will premiere seven years after George Clooney, the last actor to play the role, filled the Caped Crusader's shoes, and 16 years since the first feature film, starring Michael Keaton, hit cinemas in 1989.
Actor Val Kilmer starred in 1995's Batman Forever, rounding out the trio of US stars who've brought the comic book character to life on the big screen.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
