Christian Bale: Heath Ledger 'Intense' On 'Dark Knight' Set

Access Hollywood - May 28, 2008 10:02 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Christian Bale, who will be suiting up for a second time as Batman in the upcoming "The Dark Knight" alongside Heath Ledger, opens up to Details magazine about working with the late actor and how the role of Batman almost never happened for him.

"[Heath] was incredibly intense in his performance but incredibly mellow and laid-back," Christian told Details in the June/July issue. "Certainly there was this great anarchistic streak to it-just getting dirtier than anybody's envisioned the Joker before. This character has power because he has no limits-absolutely nothing to lose."

[ Preview: 'The Dark Knight' - Play it Now ]

The current caped crusader hoped he and Heath would enjoy the film together, but said the film honors the late actor's talents.

"It was something I wanted to share with him-and expected to do so. And I can't do anything else but hope that it will be an absolutely appropriate celebration of his work," he said.

[ Christian Bale - Check Out the Photos ]

Celebrating the "The Dark Knight" almost never happened for Christian due to a personal phobia.

"I was standing on the back lot where they were creating the suit, and I had a few minutes to myself, staring up close in the mirror, just thinking, 'This isn't going to work. I'm claustrophobic, I can't breathe, I'm getting a headache already, and this is all going to go very badly,'" the actor confessed to the magazine.

[ All Access: Batman - Geek Chic - Movies - Heath Ledger ]

With some deep breathing techniques, Christian says he was able to calm himself down and keep the batsuit on.

"I just had flashes of what an a****** I would feel like saying, 'Well, I wasn't able to play [Batman], because I panicked every time I got in the suit,'" he joked.

[ All Access: ShoWest Day 3 - Play it Now ]

Catch Christian and Heath's haunting portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight," opening on July 18.

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  • angello
    i buy this the dark knight moive 50 cent in my country
    report abuseposted August 11, 2008 3:31 AM PDT
  • angello
    i am from iran.in last night i make buy the dark knight dvd movie just 50 cent but i heard in usa this ticket is 60$ ? actually thats wonderful.
    report abuseposted August 11, 2008 3:30 AM PDT
  • angello
    i am from iran.in last night i make buy the dark knight dvd movie just 50 cent but i heard in usa this ticket is 60$ ? actually thats wonderful.
    report abuseposted August 11, 2008 3:29 AM PDT
  • angello
    i am from iran.in last night i make buy the dark knight dvd movie just 50 cent but i heard in usa this ticket is 60$ ? actually thats joke.
    report abuseposted August 11, 2008 3:28 AM PDT
  • Sveta D
    Christian Bale rocks my socks :)
    report abuseposted August 1, 2008 2:57 PM PDT
  • i seen the movie it rocked to tight so good heath ledger rocks in the movie soooooooo good wow!!!!
    report abuseposted July 24, 2008 9:30 PM PDT
  • the movies gonna rock hard core!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    report abuseposted July 15, 2008 5:58 PM PDT
  • Rachael's 19
    If these Hollywood Actors are so tuff -- why don't they join the Military and kill some Terrorists?? Because they are all PANZIES!!!
    report abuseposted June 30, 2008 11:43 AM PDT
  • Sheesh
    CB is the coolest in 'Equilibrium". Hot hotter hottest
    report abuseposted June 9, 2008 5:35 PM PDT
  • henryk
    Christian Bale the most talented actor in film industry.I am admire him and his job.
    report abuseposted May 29, 2008 8:02 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 13  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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