After hanging up the cape and cowl back in 2012 following the release of The Dark Knight Rises, there were rumours that Warner Bros. was trying to tempt Christian Bale back for another outing as Batman in Justice League. As we now know, that turned out to be false, and if you were holding out any hope of seeing Bale returning to the superhero genre for a different role, perhaps as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I’m afraid you’re out of luck.
Speaking to Collider, Bale has revealed that he has no interest in working with Marvel Studios or appearing in another superhero film, and that besides The Dark Knight Trilogy, he’s over ever watched Christopher Reeve’s Superman movies.
“No, I’m not interested in doing that. I’ve never seen — I’m trying to think if that’s correct, I think I’m actually correct, I can’t remember a single superhero film that I’ve ever watched. Apart from the ones I made and like, the Christopher Reeve Superman films. I love those. Other than that, no I’ve never seen anything.”
Given the success that Bale had with The Dark Knight Trilogy, it would be difficult to see him in another superhero role – although that hasn’t stopped Michael Keaton from joining the MCU with his upcoming role as The Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Perhaps Bale will have a change of heart in 25 years or so…
Originally published April 24, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
