Even though Christian Bale was against starring in Terminator Salvation at first, he took a chance on director McG. He recalls receiving the script flipping through it even though he had already decided he didn’t want to take the role.
“I went, ‘No, I don’t even have to read this,’” Bale says, two years later. “I just thought, the mythology is dead. I mean, I did flick through it, because you can always be surprised. But I wasn’t surprised by what I read in that one.”
But McG was determined to get Christian on board, no matter what he had to do.
Bale recalls, “I had this guy sitting there saying, ‘Christian, didn’t somebody ever take a leap of faith on you to do something radically different than you’ve ever done before? Give me that opportunity.’ So I’m thinking, ‘Oh, f—!’”
Bale’s advisers were against it too. Not just because Terminator Salvation was a sequel to a sequel to a sequel, but also because of McG himself, a man with little more to his credit than “The OC,” a couple of “Charlie’s Angels” movies, and a ridiculous name.
“I had people telling me, ‘Don’t do it, Christian. Don’t go with that guy.’ In a strange way, I like the fact that he keeps that name because it does him no friggin’ favors,” says Bale. “But people hear it and they go, ‘F— him!’ People were telling me, ‘Christian, you’re too good for ‘Terminator.’’ And I’m thinking, I’m too good? I’m not a snob. I really f—ing enjoy watching a good action movie. Who do you think I am?!”
Now at the premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood last night, Bale stands proud of his work and hopes the fans will love it.
Bale is the first to admit that he has no clue which of his films will connect with audiences. But he’s convinced that “Salvation” will click despite the doubters and distractions. “Look, all of the stuff with my behavior and what people f—ing think of McG, none of that should matter a damn to anyone. They just want a damn good movie.”
Terminator Salvation hits theaters May 21st.
Photo Cred: Fame Pictures
Shown: Christian Bale & his wife Sibi Blazic
