“I’m back to being one part in a very big film”: Christian Bale Hated His 1 Movie Role After American Psycho That Threatened His Hollywood Career
Christian Bale’s illustrious career in Hollywood is marked by his extraordinary talent and versatility. However, even the most accomplished actors face challenges, and Bale’s journey is no exception. While he has received widespread acclaim for his performances, there was a particular role that didn’t resonate well with the actor himself. This role was in a reboot film in the Shaft franchise, a project that Bale openly admitted to disliking.
Moreover, Bale’s career encountered another pivotal moment with the release of American Psycho. While the film is now celebrated as a cult classic and a testament to Bale’s acting prowess, it initially posed a risk to his Hollywood standing. Yet, Christian Bale’s portrayal of the enigmatic Patrick Bateman ultimately solidified his status as a certifiable movie star.
Christian Bale’s Disappointing Odyssey in the Shaft Reboot
Christian Bale took on a pivotal role in the 2000 Shaft reboot, sharing the screen with the iconic Samuel L. Jackson. Cast as the smarmy and nefarious businessman Walter Wade Jr., Bale assumed the position of the film’s main antagonist. This character was a crucial element in the film franchise.
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However, despite the significance of the role, Bale’s experience on the set turned out to be one of the most frustrating episodes in his entire acting journey. While portraying a character integral to the plot, Bale’s performance was surprisingly muted and failed to leave a lasting impact. Christian Bale told Entertainment Weekly,
“Frankly, I found it a little bit frustrating doing Shaft [starring Samuel L. Jackson] because I’m back to being one part in a very big film. … I’m the bad guy, really. Myself and Jeffrey Wright. I’m sort of the bad bad guy and he’s the good bad guy.”
The experience left Bale underwhelmed, highlighting his personal experiences and the overall outcome of the project. To Bale’s dismay, the result of the Shaft reboot was not as stellar as he had hoped. The movie, part of a long-running franchise and serving as a soft reboot, earned a lukewarm reception with a 6/10 rating on IMDB and a 67% approval on Rotten Tomatoes.
Christian Bale’s Defiant Journey as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
In the illustrious tapestry of Christian Bale’s Hollywood journey, one of the most significant milestones was his portrayal of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. However, this pivotal role didn’t come without its share of challenges and initial threats to the actor’s Hollywood career. The character of Patrick Bateman, a charismatic yet psychopathic banking executive and serial killer, etched itself into the annals of cinematic history as one of the great horror characters of any era.
Yet, surprisingly, taking on the lead in American Psycho wasn’t met with unanimous encouragement. Bale revealed that he faced warnings and threats regarding the potential consequences of embodying such a dark and morally ambiguous character. Christian Bale told (via Youtube),
“I had an awful lot of calls saying it was going to be career suicide … a lot of people would talk about Anthony Perkins in ‘Psycho’ and say once you play a villain like that you never get to play anything else, because you’re stuck in everyone’s imagination as that person.”
Despite the apprehensions and concerns raised, Christian Bale remained resolute in his belief that playing Patrick Bateman was a tremendous opportunity. He dismissed the naysayers and their predictions. When American Psycho hit the screens in 2000, it became a modest box office success.
Critics, in particular, lauded Bale’s performance, recognizing the depth and nuance he brought to the character of Patrick Bateman. The journey from the initial threats to the eventual acclaim for American Psycho stands as a testament to Christian Bale’s Hollywood career.
American Psycho is available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
