Beyond Batman: The Unauthorized True Story of Christian Bale and His Dark Knight Dilemma

By Vincent Russel

"Beyond Batman" is the unauthorized true story of Christian Bale and his real life Dark Knight dilemma.

As the bat signal still glimmers with fervor above Bale's Hollywood marquee, this compelling, first-of-its-kind work recounts Christian Bale's inescapable experience as the Batman of our generation.

With three of the most successful Batman films in Hollywood history under his belt, Christian Bale is now facing extraordinary pressure to become The Dark Knight once more in the forthcoming Justice League film.

This compelling read exposes how sources close to Christian Bale have reportedly begun expressing their suspicions that Bale now views the Batman films in the same light that Robert Downey, Jr. views the Iron Man films.

Although Downey has appeared as Tony Stark in four movies in less than a decade, he’s hardly typecast as Iron Man. Downey has balanced his action film escapades with other projects that have harnessed his talents and earned critical acclaim in the process.

If Bale follows a similar formula, his box office glory days may not be behind him – a reality that other men who have donned the black cape weren’t so fortunate to experience.

In the end, Christian Bale’s future success as a top Hollywood draw may need Batman every bit as much as the Batman franchise still needs Christian Bale.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sports Entertainment Publishing
• Release date: Aug 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301002474

Book preview

Beyond Batman

The unauthorized true story of Christian Bale and his Dark Knight dilemma

By Vince Russel

Disclaimer

Published by Sports Entertainment Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Sports Entertainment Publishing

All Rights Reserved worldwide. May not be copied or distributed without prior written permission from the author.

This eBook is not an official Christian Bale or Batman publication nor is it associated with, affiliated or otherwise endorsed by Christian Bale, DC Comics, Legendary Pictures, Warner Bros. or any representatives thereof.

All information contained in this eBook has been obtained by exclusive interviews, online research, and also information freely available in the public domain.

This eBook provides information that you read and use at your own risk.

Cover image is available in the public domain, royalty free and for commercial use on Flickr by Asim Bharwani. For full photo credit information, click here.

Part 1: Batman Begins

It was December 1, 2012 - New Year’s Eve - in Los Angeles. Five months earlier, in July 2012, The Dark Knight Rises opened to monumental numbers at the box office around the world. To fans, it was the end of an era – or so they thought.

With Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan having finally completed the trilogy of Batman films they pledged to make nearly a decade earlier, the most successful Batman films in history were now in the rear view mirror.

Or so we thought.

Shortly before the ball dropped at midnight, a former colleague of mine who has labored on a number of films produced by Legendary Pictures said his time working on The Dark Knight Rises was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his professional life.

It was so exciting and historic to participate in the production of the film that he simply couldn’t wait to do it again.

No, he wasn’t in possession of classified Hollywood information. He had no proof that Bale or Nolan would return for another tour of duty on a fourth Dark Knight movie. Be he also didn’t think there was any conceivable way that Christian Bale was completely finished with the Batman franchise.