Christian Bale Says He Would Play Batman Again If Christopher Nolan Is Directing

Christian Bale has opened up about whether or not he'd be tempted to return as Batman.

Bale took on the role of Bruce Wayne in 2005 in Batman Begins, reprising the role for 2008's The Dark Knight, as well as The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

While the role has most recently been overtaken by Tenet actor Robert Pattinson, Bale has spoken out about what conditions could see him make a return.

Bale revealed he's made 'a pact with Chris Nolan' - who co-wrote and directed the Dark Knight series - if he were ever to return to the role of Batman.

He told ScreenRant: "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."

However, Bale fans shouldn't get their hopes up just yet.

The actor admitted no such conversation about him returning to the DC franchise has actually been broached.

Bale noted: "No. No one's ever mentioned it to me. No one's brought it 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'."

Despite Pattinson's highly commended performance as the latest Batman, many fans of the DC hero have expressed their excitement at the possibility of Bale returning.

"Actual W, love the other actors who played Batman but i still think he’s my favourite one," one Twitter user said.

Another fan was ecstatic by Bale's revelation that he would think about returning, saying: "BRING HIM BACK DAMNIT."

However, a third user explained they think Bale's exit from the role was perfectly timed.

They wrote: "I wouldn’t wanna see him return tbh, the way it ended was perfect for the character, but I love how he’d only do it if Nolan was involved/ asked him to."

Another agreed and referenced Warner Bros' plans to develop the DC multiverse. "Nolan's Batman story ended perfectly... Please don't f**k it up with some multiverse bulls**t,'" they said.

A final stood up for Pattinson's portrayal. They said: "We appreciate the services provided, but we already have a new supplier of..... high emotions!!"

The likelihood of Bale returning appears slim, as just like how his role has most recently been taken over by Pattinson, Matt Reeves has taken over from Nolan in the director's chair.

Reeves has been announced as being set to return as the director for Batman 2.

Nolan is also no longer actively involved in any films tied to DC.

In the meantime, you can catch Bale in Thor: Love and Thunder which is set to hit cinemas on 7 July, 2022.

Bale enters the MCU in the villainous role of Gorr the God Butcher.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Batman, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson, DC Comics

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.