The Dark Knight star Christian Bale has responded to the idea of a Batman return, declaring that it is only director Christopher Nolan who could tempt him back to the DC franchise. Speaking with Inverse, Bale speaks fondly of working alongside Nolan on their Batman trilogy, stating that, should the filmmaker present him with a new story idea, he would consider once again donning the cape and cowl.

"The thing for me is that Chris Nolan and I always said, If we're lucky enough to do three, we'll do three and leave it at that. We were lucky enough to do three and stay true to our word. That's loyalty. You've got to stick to a deal. If Chris came to me and said, 'I've got a new story,' I'd be interested. But other than that, I don't think so."

Oscar winner Christian Bale played Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, throughout Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed trilogy, which began with Batman Begins in 2005, reached the pinnacle of comic book movies with The Dark Knight in 2008, and concluded with the somewhat more divisive The Dark Knight Rises in 2012. Bale brought his affinity for gripping intensity to the role of Batman, with many wondering if he could ever be tempted to play the role again. Particularly in light of the cinematic multiverse.

This is not the first time that Bale has put the ball in Christopher Nolan’s court. “I had a pact with Chris Nolan. We said, "Hey, look. Let's make three films, if we're lucky enough to get to do that,” the actor said in July. “And then let's walk away. Let's not linger too long." In my mind, it would be something if Chris Nolan ever said to himself, "You know what, I've got another story to tell." And if he wished to tell that story with me, I'd be in.”

Christian Bale Has Several Projects on the Horizon

Pale Blue Eye
Netflix

It is unlikely that Christian Bale will ever return as Batman, what with Robert Pattinson and director Matt Reeves now launching their own, and equally acclaimed, reboot with this year’s The Batman. But fear not Bale fans, as the actor has plenty of projects on the horizon.

Bale recently leaped from DC to Marvel as Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder, and while the MCU outing itself has faced a whole lot of criticism, many agree that Bale is by far the best thing in it.

Bale will next be seen alongside Margot Robbie and John David Washington in director David O. Russell’s Amsterdam. The uber-talented trio star as three friends, a doctor, a nurse, and an attorney, who find themselves becoming the prime suspects in a murder in Amsterdam during the 1930s. As well as finding themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history. Amsterdam is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 7, 2022, by 20th Century Studios.

Bale is also set to star in Netflix’s The Pale Blue Eye as veteran detective Augustus Landor who, in 1830, is partnered with a young Edgar Allan Poe with the pair investigating a series of murders at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. The Pale Blue Eye will begin streaming on January 6, 2023.