We said, ‘Hey, look. Let’s make three films if we’re lucky enough to get to do that. 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

I tend to think you're fearless when you recognize why you should be scared of things, but do them anyway.

Christian Bale

fearless acting thinking

You either decide to take the easy way out, which means you're only going to disappoint yourself and everybody else, or you take the risk right now of being a fool, which is the only way you'll end up being exhilarated later on when you actually watch the movie.

Christian Bale

fool risk mean

Whatever you do, do it completely. Don't do it half-arsed. Do it more than anybody else would.

Christian Bale

half

Being misunderstood is not a bad thing as an actor. I know the truth.

Christian Bale

i-know-the-truth misunderstood actors

I always want to confuse people in terms of any kind of image and be unpredictable in any kind of movie I make.

Christian Bale

kind want people

It's got to do with putting yourself in other people's shoes and seeing how far you can come to truly understand them. I like the empathy that comes from acting.

Christian Bale

empathy shoes people

The art of survival is a story that never ends.

Christian Bale

hustle survival art

I like being responsible for myself

Christian Bale

being-responsible responsible

If you're doing your job properly, you take the risk of feeling slightly foolish and delve in and bring out the emotions.

Christian Bale

risk emotion feelings

I do like taking stuff seriously that a lot of people look at as nonsense. I enjoy the insanity of that. And I like the commitment that is needed for that.

Christian Bale

insanity people commitment

I'd love to remain a secret and still work, but I also want people to see the movies I'm in and get a higher profile because of that. I like to think that as long as you continue choosing diverse roles, you can avoid becoming predictable.

Christian Bale

long people thinking

I find something fascinating about the quiet man in the background who has no desire to be the center of attention.

Christian Bale

center-of-attention desire men

It's about pursuing it rather than waiting to see what comes along.

Christian Bale

typecasting acting waiting

There are movies where actors aren't characters but movie stars, being cool beyond belief throughout the whole movie. That is what it is. And we reveal ourselves when we act, very often without noticing. But if I can manage to do a character without showing anything of myself, then that's the ultimate goal for me. No leakage.

Christian Bale

stars goal character

I tend to stay in character between scenes... to be rather serious on set, but here's why, and I think people will find it surprising. I'm one of the worst 'corpses' on a movie set, which means you can't keep a straight face. You start to get the giggles and you can't stop.

Christian Bale

character mean thinking

You'll hunt me. You'll condemn me. Set the dogs on me. Because that's what needs to happen. Because sometimes truth isn't good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.

Christian Bale

deserve-more dog dark

I never, in any city I've ever been in, never remember the names of streets. The longest place I ever lived in was for five years and I didn't know the name of the next street over.

Christian Bale

cities names years

Putting on weight is easy all the way through. But after the first couple of weeks, the novelty wears off very quickly, and your body is groaning and starting to really shout at you, saying, 'Why? Why? Why? Why are you doing this?'

Christian Bale

couple body weight

I think it's important when you're acting to be as relaxed as possible even if you're doing something intense. You're basically in a state of dynamic relaxation.

Christian Bale

important relaxation thinking

Were all conning ourselves, one way or another, just to get through life.

Christian Bale

conning one-way way