Christian Bale has done quite a big share of movies that have contributed to his range in acting. His roles always manage to stand out and his skill shines brighter than anyone else who may be present in the room. Out of all the movies that he has done, many of them have gotten him accolades and further recognition. Some stood out more than others while some were incredible on their own.
In his time as an actor, he has worked with various renowned directors and actors; many of which managed to leave a mark on him. However, one actor and particular had given such a brilliant performance that Bale himself began to feel inferior in front of it. His impactful acting was enough to make the actor believe that there was no room for competition.
Christian Bale Was Outshined By Heath Ledger
When one thinks of Batman, Christian Bale’s version of the character surely comes to mind. His acting as Bruce Wayne was absolutely stunning, enough to mesmerize the audience for decades. He was dedicated to the character and knew how and what to do in order to contribute his best. However, he was left unsatisfied with the trilogy.
“(Christopher Nolan) did, but my own sense of self is like, ‘I didn’t quite nail it.’ Batman’s this very, very, very dark, messed-up character.” He continued, “I found when I put on the suit, I felt like, ‘I just feel like a bloody idiot if I don’t use this as a means of — it’s kind of his true monstrous self that he allows to come out in that moment.’”
Bale focused on how he was not the only method actor present in the film. Heath Ledger had an aura that completely overshadowed his own. His character’s cruelty, the darkness, and the cynicism buried within the Joker were all evident in Ledger’s acting. Something Bale knew he could not compete with.
Christian Bale Was In Awe Of Heath Ledger’s Acting
Christian Bale had pride in one factor, his acting. He knew how to bring out the best and worst of Batman and Bruce Wayne as separate entities. He was acquainted with his dark side and was rather fond of how he worked with the character. However, the moment Heath Ledger came into the picture, he knew that things would not be the same.
“Heath turned up, and just kind of completely ruined all my plans, because I went, ‘He’s so much more interesting than me and what I’m doing.’”
No matter how much he tried with Batman, he could not match up to what Ledger was doing with the Joker. His acting was on a completely different level and would catch the audience’s eye in a way he never could.
Source: Yahoo!