Exclusive: Bale Bond

Despite having taken a pledge earlier this week not to add to the mounting pile of ridiculous Bond casting stories that are littering the world's press, Empire Online simply couldn't resist this little gem. Interviewed in this month's Empire magazine (out 1 May 2001), Christian Bale throws his name into the ring of possible Bond candidates, and then immediately ruins his chances by comparing 007 to the psychotic killer he played in American Psycho. 'I suppose there are actually a number of character traits that are similar between Bond and Patrick Bateman,' drawls Bale, 'a complete lack of remorse in killing people, both are utter misogynists.' As for whether he'd consider any overtures from Eon Production to play the role, Bale says; 'I've only thought of it because a couple of people have mentioned it since American Psycho... Certainly if I was going to do it, it wouldn't be for a long time.'