Bale Brings 'Batman' Alive

If you think you've seen Batman before, think again. The new film "Batman Begins" shows the early years of the Caped Crusader, as he transforms himself from billionaire Bruce Wayne into the dark knight.

Christian Bale, who plays the role of Bruce Wayne, tells The Early Showm co-anchor Harry Smith as its title suggests, the film is not a sequel. It actually ignores the movies that came before.

Bale explains, "I like to say that it's more based on the graphic novels of Batman. But also of the intention of Bob Kane when he originally created Batman back in 1939, because he always meant him to be a dark character. And then everybody became accustomed to Batman through Adam West and the TV series. And he did that fantastically, but that's a spoof of what Batman was meant to be. And the movies kind of continued that, a little bit. They had these one-liners and quips. It was kind of campy."

Bale notes, with this role, he explores the contradictions and negative urges that his character has to deal with.

He says, "With the actual Batman persona, we wanted to make him a much more intimidating and more of a monster, more of a creature that is, kind of, a way Bruce Wayne tries to expel his own demons."

That does not mean that there is no humor in the film. Michael Caine, who portrays his trusted butler Alfred is "incredibly funny. He brings fantastic humanity to the piece as well," Bale notes.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, who is also a co-screenwriter, the film's cast includes Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes and Cillian Murphy.

"There's good people," Bale says, "Fantastic director, very intelligent man. And I think that this one is going to please not only the hardcore Batman fans who are aware of these graphic novels, but also just people who appreciate good filmmaking. A big mega movie like this does not have to be dumbed down. You still have to have a very good story; otherwise, there is no movie."

To prepare for the role, Bale had to gain weight. For his previous role as Trevor Reznik in "The Machinist," he had lost about 63 pounds; and then he says, "I went up to 220. But then I arrived in England where we shot the movie, and Chris Nolan, the director, said I took him a little bit too literally in getting really big. So I had to lose some pounds before we got ready for the filming."

Born in Wales, Bale grew up in England, Portugal and the U.S. He made his film debut in Steven Spielberg's World War II epic "Empire of the Sun." He received an award from the National Board of Review for best performance by a juvenile actor.

Bale continued with roles such as Ned Rosier in Jane Campion's "The Portrait of a Lady" and a journalist in "Velvet Goldmine." In "All the Little Animals" Bale plays a mentally slow runaway, opposite John Hurt.

In 1999, Bale played a yuppie serial killer in "American Psycho."

Most recently, Bale starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson in "Shaft", with Nicolas Cage in the fantasy adventure "Reign of Fire," and alongside Frances McDormand in "Laurel Canyon."