Christian Bale Breaks Silence: "It's A Deeply Personal Matter"

BARCELONA, Spain — Batman star Christian Bale asked for privacy Thursday in his first comments since allegations he assaulted his mother and sister at a London hotel, saying the incident was personal.

The Welsh-born actor brushed off questions about the alleged family dispute, saying he preferred to focus on the blockbuster movie "The Dark Knight," which had its premiere in Spain on Wednesday.

"It's a deeply personal matter," Bale told The Associated Press at a news conference at a luxury hotel in Barcelona. "I would ask you to respect my privacy in the matter."

The 34-year-old actor spent four hours talking to British police Tuesday following allegations he assaulted his mother and one of his three sisters in his suite at London's Dorchester Hotel two days earlier. He was released on bail, but not charged.

Bale has said through his lawyers that the assault allegations were false.

British media reported that Bale's mother and sister told police he assaulted them at the hotel a day before attending the European premiere of "The Dark Knight." The Sun newspaper said the complaint was filed by sister Sharon Bale and mother Jenny Bale.

The drama unfolded even as the movie broke records and was met with critical acclaim. It set a box-office record with $158.4 million during its opening weekend in the U.S. last week, and is expected to do well in Europe.

The film, which stars Bale as Batman and the late Heath Ledger as the superhero's nemesis The Joker, opened in Barcelona at a glittery premiere Wednesday night. Thousands of fans lined the red carpet for a peek at the stars.

Story continues below

advertisement

Bale paid tribute to Ledger, calling his depiction of The Joker one of the film's triumphs.

"It was an iconic portrayal of The Joker," Bale said, adding Ledger's character had embodied "an agent of chaos."

Bale said he tried to add an edge to his portrayal of Batman as well, inspired by the superhero's complex and mysterious character.

"The bat is not an angelic creature," he said, smiling.

The movie is expected to do well in Spain thanks in part to the publicity that Bale's reported arrest and Ledger's untimely death in January had spawned, press reports said.

Bale first made a splash as the child star of Steven Spielberg's "Empire of the Sun" in 1987. His screen credits also include "American Psycho," "The Machinist" and "Batman Begins."

____

Associated Press reporter Paul Haven reported from Madrid.

Comments

[aristippe]

I don't know what he's smiling about, the dark knight sucked

[JamieStarr]

I think he's smiling because of the $300 million it made in the first week.

[XME]

Someone is a mess....ei­ther he is and is guilty, or they are and are seeing an opportunity to get some of the BIG money he'll be getting from this film, which is undoubtedly his biggest success to date.

[Tenley]

Verbal assault in the U.K. is a crime -- the U.S. reports still aren't making the distinction. He's not charged with physical assault. He's charged with raising his voice.

[Agentlady007]

Martia BcBride - How far
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YlV-NEsYkA

[Agentlady007]

LPC, -Did you write your memoirs yet? JC ( Just curious)

[Agentlady007]

What if his sister just wants to be a part of his life?

[Tenley]

She's pretty much assured that's not going to happen now.

[Agentlady007]

Please. I disowned my own sister on all my fingers of my right hand alone.. several times over. My mother has told me I am on my own my whole life, and payed for Stella Adler. It's all relative.

[nomobull]

by asking for a loan yeah right. she revealed herself.

[RobertAndropolis]

Mr. Bale has no history of violence ala serial malcontent Russell Crowe. Highly unlikely he would transition into a Welsh psycho at age thirty-four.

[Javani]

Did he "bulk up" for the Batman movie?

Could be 'roid rage or a similar interaction.

[buddydave]

GIVE ME MONEY OR I'LL REPORT YOU ALL TO THE COPS!!!!!!

[SoonerThought]

Leave the man alone. It is literally none of our business. If he hurt anyone, the police will sort him out. I must add that I do admire his acting. See "The Machinist" or "American Psycho" and you'll see. He's also the best Batman hands down.

[TheImpaler]

One of the best actors today, I have been following his career since “Empire of the Sun “(1987). You are right about the Machinist and the American Psycho!!!

[StephenJK]

I couldn't believe he made it out of The Machinist alive. He looked like he had a foot in the grave already. Great movie and great acting on Bale's part.

[missviv]

He was downright TERRIFYING in American Pyscho! As if yuppies didn't scare me enough, that movie actually gave me nightmares. Anyhow... I know what it's like to be among the most successful members of your family and have your less successful family members try to leach off you. I wouldn't rush to judge, especially since I'll never know him... I agree... get off the man's back.

[hilts]

Bale's handlers are spinning this story to paint his mother and sister as the villains and Huffington Post readers are falling for it hook, line, and sinker just like they fell for Dark Knight hook, line, and sinker.

This is groupthink at its worst. Everyone loves Dark Knight and as a result can't imagine that its hero is in fact a dirtbag.

Dark Knight is a super sized, putrid, steaming pile of excrement and Bales simply faxed in his performance. His acting is as lifeless as a cadaver.

[polly14]

of course that's how his publicists are going to spin it, but then again, it could still be the truth. The point is, if you have any proof that the publicist is lying, please supply it.

[gappedtoothgodwarrior]

Hit's just really doesn't like the film for some reason, have a look at their other comments.

[lvdragonlady]

sounds like you have already convicted him of a crime.
don't like men much huh?
If sister was asking for a loan? why is it always assumed that if one has money they are "required" to provide relatives with loans and such? He could have a valid reason not to provide the loan to her, maybe this is not the first time she has asked, maybe he has already given her money? who knows???
I am not a Bale fan, just an observer of people.

[YankeeCanuck]

OK Hiltie, we get it. You hate Dark Knight and Christian Bale-- who has some very interesting roles to his credit-- he's a chameleon and a fine actor. I might agree with you about Dark Knight once I've seen it.
But it seems hating one movie and one actor is an obsession with you. Get over it-- you've had some smart things to say about other topics.

[buddydave]

Wow -- you don't like the movie so you assume its star is guilty.

Who's the one falling for a story hook-line-sinker, again? :-p

[richardgordon]

You might be right. But I will refrain from passing judgment until I know all the facts.

[dzent1]

Agent of Chaos? Wasn't that Get Smart?

[lvdragonlady]

Yes it was....

[Agentlady007]

No it wasn't !!! He did not work for Chaos. He fought against Chaos. ( If you remember..­.straight.­).

[macintoshsauce]

I don't believe their accusations against Christian. It seems like his family is quite dysfunctional IMO.

[useyourbrain]

His mum had it coming to her -- a real beeach

[Cakey4814]

Why; at the opening of his film; do you ask for a loan? What was your purpose for coming to the opening? I can only imagine that threats were made with respect to the press if he didn't come up with the money and that led to the assault. What a shame that his family chose that time to try and embarass Christian Bale. He was absolutely brilliant in Shaft with Samuel L. Jackson.

[ecstewart]

If mom and sister are just as dysfunctional as mine, sounds like they waited for perfect timing. Argh.

[JudyMillerDubyaAgent]

Now it's all starting to make sense. More than likely this isn't the first time that Big Sis has hit up Little Bro for a loan and Christian probably felt like enough is enough. I'm not excusing his behavior, if he shoved her, but I can certainly understand his anger and frustration in a situation like that.

Here's the link to the extortion article:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1463051.ece

[the964kid]

It sucks that his family hit him up for money, and I dont know if he's given them money in the past BUT it's a little surprising that he's not down to help out. He's making heaps of money and his career is only going up. He'll spend more then $200k in legal fees now - he should've just helped his family out (even if they are wankers).

[BigCheese]

200,000 pounds is a hell of a lot of money no matter who you are. Why should he have to support a sister that won't stop pumping out babies? Where are the kids' fathers? Why isn't she hitting them up for cash? And then they call they call the cops on him -- on the night of his premiere! What a bunch of losers. Cut 'em loose Christian.