Will Christian Bale's temper sideline him as a Russell Crowe?

Christian Bale reportedly must check back in with the London police in September regarding the "verbal assault" and alleged pushing complaints filed by his mother and sister earlier this week.

Now comes a report from the Daily Telegraph the real cause of the row was that his Bale's mother insulted his wife, Sibi Bale, a former model and Winona Ryder's personal assistant.

At least he was only channeling his onscreen alter-ego Batman. Could have been worse. Could have been the Hulk. Click here for details on the Bale family argument.

Interestingly, there are also reports about mom and sis wanting money from the Caped Crusader.

But there's also another report of Bale's explosive temper on the set of the new "Terminator 4," just a few days before the alleged family incident.

He reportedly lost his temper and screamed at the film's director of cinematography, Shane Hurlbut, on location at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

The actor purportedly became enraged when he thought Hurlbut messed up a shot, acccording to TMZ.

The site claims that Bale screamed, "I will kick your ... " — and other insults — at the DP in front of the cast, crew and military police.

Other sources have played down the reports, saying Bale was simply "extremely tired and having a bad day."

What do you think? Will this incident make the studio nervous about keeping Bale on as Batman?

Remember what happened to Russell Crowe?

If you do or if you don't, keep reading!

Could Bale experience what happened to Crowe (who costarred with Bale in the 2007 western "3:10 to Yuma") after his much-publicized 2005 phone-tossing incident, in which he reportedly thew a phone that hit a hotel employee?

It was considered the last straw, and some say that the bad press hurt box office for his film "Cinderella Man" and dampened his Oscar chances, and that Hollywood is still holding a grudge against the formerly grumpy actor despite his many mea culpas.

Curiously, "Yuma," critically hailed and with a SAG Awards ensemble cast nod, got no Oscar acting nods last year. Hmmm.

Will Bale become the next Crowe? Check out Gold Derby blogger Tom O'Neil's analysis of Hollywood Bad Behaving Boys (Crowe, Bale, Marlon Brando, Peter O'Toole, Richard Burton) and their Oscar behavior problems.

Photos: Bale, above; Bale and Crowe, below, at the L.A. premiere of "3:10 to Yuma."
WireImage

Comments

[NY2NJ2Fl]

What? When it comes to family matters, may the first person who has not lost his or her temper, cast the first stone. This whole thing is petty stupid stuff, which effects nobody but the Bale family. And so what if Christian Bale threw a fit on the Terminator set...there are two sides to every story...not to mention what the circumstances were. Christian Bale always gives an Oscar-winning performance...he does't need the Oscar to justify that fact....his fans and friends know it.

[pk]

I must say I haven't heard this kind of stuff about Bale before and he's been around a while. It's a bit disappointing, since I really admire him as an actor.

Assuming the stories are true (I understand "assault" in THIS case refers to VERBAL confrontation, in Britain the terms are different), I'm hoping these are isolated incidents, due to some current stress/fatigue which are unlikely to happen again.

However if in fact there are repeated acts of PHYSICAL violence, and/or frequent verbal abuse (like Crowe) on or off the set, than yes, it will certainly side line him.

It would be a damn shame to lose one of the most talented actors around. But lets not jump the gun.

[pk]

I must say I haven't heard this kind of stuff about Bale before and he's been around a while. It's a bit disappointing, since I really admire him as an actor.

Assuming the stories are true (I understand "assault" in THIS case refers to VERBAL confrontation, in Britain the terms are different), I'm hoping these are isolated incidents, due to some current stress/fatigue which are unlikely to happen again.

However if in fact there are repeated acts of PHYSICAL violence, and/or frequent verbal abuse (like Crowe) on or off the set, than yes, it will certainly side line him.

It would be a damn shame to lose one of the most talented actors around. But lets not jump the gun.

[JS]

First of all, I feel bad for Christian Bale becasue his family and personal issues are being exposed to the world. I dont think anybody, no matter who you are, would like that. Second, nobody knows what is true and what is not true. You dont know what is really going on with him and his family and I think people should leave him alone. He doesnt seem like the kind of person who would hurt anybody and I think people sould realize that and cut him some slack. The only reason this is being made such a big deal is becasue he is famous and has a really great movie out. I still love you Christian Bale!!!!

[Vergil]

What a foolish statements. Bale don't need any award to prove that he is a great actor, all we know that. He's just a human, a good guy, not a Saint . What will you do when your lovely family, what you most care in the world, broking down? What would you do when all the wick and heart-breaking statement come from his mother and sister? When your mm and sis who leave you many years ago and now find you for hurting you? What a good mom and sis. He's a family man, all the assault, if it's true, just for protect his family. He love his daughter, he do everything just to want she to be happy. What the stupid award. What a silly rumor. Most of you love him just because the money you can get, just about he's handsome, just about he's a gentleman, famous blah blah blah. When he's in trouble, all of you just know how to pour oil on the flames. When he help the animals, when he sacrifice for act, where are you? Where the oscar ? You're busy for talking about Britney's scandal. A true fan, someone who love Christian by heart, not care about that stupid news, not care about the stupid award, we just care the good things he have done, we love his soul, we love his polite, we love his movie, we care about his happiness... Although what happen, we'll be Christian Bale fan forever.

[TE]

I do hope this will not affect his career too much because I love his work and his performance. He has always been a great actor and I do hope to see him often on big screen in the future.

[Demetra]

Emotions are what make us human! *cough* Equilibrium *cough* The guys has to be under tons of stress what with filming and the tour he is on, give him a break. I really hope this doesn't hurt his career because everyone loses their temper sometimes. Unfortunately for him he is the star of the moment so it got splashed across the headlines. But being a devoted Balehead I will love him no matter what he does, and I'm sure most of his fans are just as devoted! Everybody screws up, and all this was just about him yelling. I yell if the moment calls for it, and this moment called for it from what I have heard. He was defending his wife! Quite noble really, mothers can be harsh sometimes and I have no doubt that she was out of line. There is also the fact that he is an actor -they are supposed to be dramatic!

[pk]

No point in getting in a snit over it at this point. Like I said the guy has no track record, of being "difficult". So unless he gets a rep for that (IIRC Sean Penn did), it won't effect anything one way or the other. He's a much admired actor and will remain so.

And yeah, people who admire his work, don't care AT ALL whether the industry recognizes it at award time. Some of them are so far ahead of the pack in talent (Emily Watson, Blanchett, Penn, Duvall, Dafoe, DeNiro...), we immediately recognize it, whether the industry does or not. But I think awards have a politics that go beyond "behavior" anyway.

[Gary Dixon]

Hi, I am Gary Dixon, the Next Black Green Lantern, an Actor enthusiastI have been on Movie Sets Check out The Insatiable, I play the Only Black Cop! I myself, have a bit of a Temper...Sometimes, yes, its frustrating filming. So when you are under a lot of pressure, and are concerned about your status as an Actor, yes it is quite possible to have a Bad Day. And in front of Military Police? Big Deal.. I was a Marine. Those guys know when things they are observing are actual feelings verses induced frustration...and when things will not be acted out, such as a verbal threat. Also, considering the Circumstances, it was probably hot as Balls in New Mexico, when they were filming, and if you're hot, you're frustrated..So, they know that that is all it was....

As for BatMan...Have we all not just watched a movie, where a guy has an Alter Ego, who is controlled by rage, and vengeance for his city and Parents? "His Anger outweighs his guilt" Therefore, BATMAN is art imitating life to a degree, and or vice versa. This is what we wanted..Darkness. Hence The Dark Knight...No...this will Not Sideline him. He is also Australian...a country whose people were former Slaves and Prisoners...unbelieveable White People, at that...Any Good old Rough and Tumble Red Blooded American Male, Or Female, nowadays, can respect a guy with a Bad Temper, as long as he doesn't Kill Someone...or if it was Warranted. That seemingly is understandable that that is in their Nature, I have Been to Australia, those guys are tough, and by the Way, its hot there too. So, a Country who's People were former Prisoners, kinda is a good reason to believe that that temper can live in them...Not Stereotyping, or condoning, however, its understandable, and respectable. His sister, probably could have waited another time, to ask him for money..There is more to it, than that. If I had Millions of Dollars, I would not be so quick to fork over money to whomever has their hand out. And I am sure its nothing new...She probably had it coming, Whatever happened to, support your own children? And or A light tap, became a shove, as in "the shove heard around the world." Probably Blown out of Proportion. The Dark Knight Must Go ON....and it Must be Christian Bale. He is Awesome.. signing out, I am Gary Dixon, the Next Black Green Lantern....Petition for me to Play the Part!

[hatchling]

Tom O'Neill has had his panties in a twist about Russell Crowe for a few years now. His personal prissy dislike is so strong and personal, I can only assume Crowe may have not played nice with him years ago.

Over and over, O'Neill has been proven wrong in his assumptions, in his facts and judgment and most people have learned to ignore him.

There's a lot of gossip floating around about Bale right now, but the truth is, he's got a completely clean record and it's well known he and his mother have had a difficult relationship since his childhood when he chose to live with his Dad after the divorce.

And as the saying goes, follow the money trail to find the truth.

[Lollipop]

Let he who is without temper cast the first stone. Yes, his rant was unsavory, just like anyone else who rants. I can't imagine being a celebrity, constantly under pressure to "not" appear human. I think it's all that testosterone and manliness just tearing free of that fine specimen of a man. Personally I love it when a man loses his temper, not to violence, but in words - makes you wanna calm him down, if you get my drift....I need a cold shower.

[orianna]

Sure many have a temper, it's nobody's business & he's a good actor, etc. But at the end of the day, he's not giving a s...t about his career, burning bridges & I do believe that will come back to haunt him.