Fans of Christian Bale will probably be shocked by a recording released today, in which the actor spends several minutes verbally abusing a colleague. The event ocurred on the set of Terminator 4. A scene was interrupted by director of photography Shane Hurlbut, infuriating Bale and prompting him to lauch a tirade of nasty insults and threats. To hear this recording, you can download it here.
Interestingly, this event is said to have ocurred only a few days before the UK premiere of The Dark Knight, in which Bale was held by the police due to claims of assaulting his family (he wasn’t charged).
While many will be shocked, this sort of behaviour is not uncommon on film sets. The intense pressure of film-making can certainly create such explosions. Indeed, I remember a friend recounting her experience on the set of Breakfast of Pluto, in which Liam Neeson screamed abuse at his assistant for bringing him to set too early. It seems that intense actors cannot stand losing their concentration, though such behaviour can hardly be justified.
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Kenna McHugh said
February 3 2009 @ 6:32 pm
Christian Bale is a very talented actor. What goes on a set is a private matter between the cast and crew. I have worked on sets. We are a dedicated team trying our best to produce a great film. Sharing that recording is so unprofessional. Shame on you.
Sarah said
February 3 2009 @ 8:24 pm
Agreed. Shame for sharing this unnecessary bit.
Josh said
February 3 2009 @ 8:42 pm
I just lost a lot of respect for Christian Bale. A lot of talent. A lot of ass hole. Period. What a dick. The DP should have kicked him in the face.
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February 3 2009 @ 9:02 pm
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Cory said
February 4 2009 @ 12:35 am
He’s F’in loony! It doesn’t matter who you are, you should never treat another human being in such a way. I actually have always loved his movies. I will never be able to watch him again without thinking what a whacko he is. He’s clearly shown himself as a selfish, egotistical bully. I wouldn’t pay a dollar to watch one of his movies.
eoin ofaolain said
February 4 2009 @ 5:42 am
Hi Kenna, it’s a fair point and I understand where you’re coming from. But to be honest I don’t think anyone deserves being talked to like that, no matter what. I do know that pressure can build on sets, but for someone to act like that only highlights the unnecessary ego within the industry. This isn’t a matter of life and death.
If there’s anything this recording should do is de-mythify our obsession with actors and actresses. I don’t think this recording will affect my attending of films he’s in, Cory, because this kind of outburst is not uncommon.
DJ said
February 4 2009 @ 8:38 am
Obviously the DP is a former grip who was heading to crafty or some nonsense whilst the cameras were rolling and has absolutely no concept of the process behind how an actor gets into character or performing. Even the most amateur DP would, after noticing a lighting issue during a take, wait for the shot to cut before making any kind of a move. He got in Chris’s eyeline during the shot. Not a make-up girl, not a props guy, not even a PA, but the freakin DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY! Of all people, he should know best, but to do it twice to the same actor is truly careless and believe me, if he’d have done that to a megastar he wouldn’t have heard a thing about it until he showed up one day and discovered someone else lighting the set and directing camera. The fact that Bale let him have right there is good because it lets him know that in spite of DP’ing a couple of movies and Key Gripping a few others, he still has a lot to learn about working with actors on a film set. I hate guys that don’t take their job seriously because it shows they just don’t care… oh and one more thing, shame on the sound mixer Mark for continuing to roll during all of this. I don’t think he was the one that leaked it (probably someone in post production) but it’s up to him to make sure this recording doesn’t happen in the first place, and he blew it too.
Jerboshow said
February 4 2009 @ 9:55 am
I agree that this is what happens when someone F’s up your scene. There’s a lot of pressure and time and money at stake. Bale is being a bit of a diva sure, but this is par for the course. You want to see some unproffessional behavior, watch Lilly Tomlin tear into her director on the set of I ‘heart’ Huckabees. I agree with Kenna and Sarah. Though it is interesting. This is not meant to be released.
Chet said
February 4 2009 @ 10:11 am
Bale is on point ……. you have to respect the craft!!
and you have to be cognizant of whats happening on set at all times!!
its not a school play!!
Joe said
February 4 2009 @ 11:13 am
Id talk to all you fuckers like that no problem, everyone stfu.
Eric said
February 4 2009 @ 1:55 pm
Bale is God
eoin ofaolain said
February 4 2009 @ 2:02 pm
It’s a fair point DJ, and Bale had a right to be upset. I’m not arguing that. But it’s the way he reacted, that’s the problem. As much as Bale would like to think that he’s more, he’s just an actor.
Trish said
February 4 2009 @ 2:09 pm
That was intense! I think I would have cried. XD
maxey said
February 4 2009 @ 2:35 pm
HAHA @ Christian Bale…..i’m kinda sick of him anyways….he will ALWAYS be Patrick Bateman to me……..
ariadne said
February 4 2009 @ 6:22 pm
You have a point. No-one deserves to be yelled at. Christian overreacted. However, you can clearly hear the DP continuing to defend himself and antagonise him while he’s trying to prepare for the retake. It’s extremely unprofessional.
liv said
February 4 2009 @ 8:02 pm
I have worked in the film and television industries for nearly twenty years and understand the need for focus on set, however to treat another person in such a way is as unprofessional as wandering around during a take, it could be argued more so as it effects the entire cast & crew. We all need to be accountable for our actions & Christian is no exception. My respect for him as an actor has diminished as a true professional understands the importance of all key players not just his overblown ego.
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February 4 2009 @ 10:59 pm
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Paul said
February 5 2009 @ 5:39 am
he is a great actor but you got to give him that and maybe all this extra publicity will make him even more famous
KK said
February 5 2009 @ 2:13 pm
I LOVE that this recording was leaked. Self-rightous Hollywood prick. That’s the problem with these people – no one ever puts them in their place so they become these ridiculous out-of-reality monsters. I love CB as an actor but just lost all respect for him as a human being. He must really think playing make-believe for a movie role is the most important job in the world. There are bigger problems in the world than someone ruining your scene, buddy. Boo to Christian Bale. I hope he smacks someone next time and ends up in jail.
Midwest DP said
February 5 2009 @ 11:11 pm
As a working commercial DP, I have to say, in this instance, I agree 100% with Bale. Part of this job is diplomacy and the DP did not even bother to apologize for distracting the Actor. That’s inexcusable. From the sound of the recording, Bale almost let it go, on multiple occasions, but it sounds like he was being antagonized by Hurlbut. Truthfully, the DP’s carelessness does not surprise me, since he primarily works on comedies, where everyone is carefree most of the time. His resume doesn’t really represent any serious dramatic work, with focused and talented actors like Bale. But, to not even realize the seriousness of breaking the actor’s concentration, and to antagonize him after doing so? That is simply unprofessional and inexcusable.
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February 7 2009 @ 2:12 pm
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Rachel said
February 8 2009 @ 9:01 am
I love Christian Bale’s films. He has a magic prescence that is totally captivating. He is renowned for doing research and going to great extremes to be true to his character. I always think of Daniel Day-Lewis who kept his distance from DiCaprio to build a character for the film. Actors are rewarded for getting in character. If you are firing at a monster to stay alive as I presume he was in this scene, and the full intensity is raging through your veins then someone destroys that by spoiling the scene, then talks back, it is hardly surprising that that rage comes out in dialogue like this. It is the intensity that will no doubt be captured on this film.
Seeing batman – wow. I am just so sorry that the casualty of bringing this amazing character to life was the incredible Heath Ledger. If an actor is taking prescription drugs to make it through the scene then they it is time for a docto to say “You need help and time out”. I am sorry for his tragic loss.
Let us keep Bale’s temper outburst in perspective.
BALEOWNS said
February 10 2009 @ 5:47 pm
hahaha christian bale is awesome. fuck that dp.
Eli said
February 18 2009 @ 6:17 am
yeah, Bale has dropped to a really pathetic level now for acting in that manner for someone as over paid as actors they need to remember it’s not all about them and respect the other cast and crew’s jobs as well. Bale is just an immature actor that needs to be put in his place.You should never act that way on a set especially if you’re a main actor role, you need to be the one to set the example.For instance, Gerard Butler he usually always setting that example and playing his part. There’s my point enough said.
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