'The Dark Knight Rises' Will Be Last Batman Film For Christian Bale

In David O. Russell's The Fighter, Christian Bale plays a boxer with a great defensive mindset. Well, those evasive maneuvers are going to be put to the test in the next few months. The actor is almost certain to get his first Oscar nomination for The Fighter, set for wide release on December 17, and to promote that film, as well as his award chances, Bale is going to do a lot of interviews. While most will ask about his gritty transformation into crackhead, has-been boxer Dickie Eklund, the number one question will be about his upcoming role as the star of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. Let the bobbing and weaving begin.

MTV and E! Online were some of the first sites to get this opportunity and Bale said The Dark Knight Rises will be the last time he dons the cape and cowl...unless Christopher Nolan says otherwise. Plus, from his answers, it seems even Bruce Wayne himself has yet to read the script. Read Bale's quotes and more after the jump.

In his interviews with MTV and E! Online (via Total Film), Bale simultaneously said a lot, and nothing at all, about his role as Batman and what little he knows about The Dark Knight Rises.

First off, the quote that spawned our headline.

I believe, unless Chris [Nolan] says different, this will be the last time I'm playing Batman.

So, the obvious follow up would be, do you think Nolan might say differently? Here's what Bale responded with.

Until Chris tells me, I don't believe it, It's gotta be from his mouth, or else I don't really know.

That's something we can all agree on. Unless Christopher Nolan says something about The Dark Knight Rises, it's all speculation. Like, if he says the Riddler is not in the film, the Riddler is not in the film. Speaking of which, what does Bale know about the plot and characters of the follow up to The Dark Knight?

Chris will let me know what I need to know when I need to know it. I probably know a little bit more than some other people out there, but I think most people would be surprised at how little I do know.

But Christian, the film starts shooting in the next few months. You don't know anything?

It just hasn't been necessary yet. I know he'll give me plenty of time to prepare for whatever I need to, and I'll discover it.

You certainly show a lot of loyalty and confidence towards Mr. Nolan.

He's a pretty damn good filmmaker. I trust that he's going to come up with something wonderful.

We trust him too. We just wish he would give us a bit more information. Thanks Mr. Bale. Best of luck with The Fighter, the Oscars, and dealing with journalists asking you the same questions over and over and over again throughout the award season.

Fucks sake man, you're amateur!

No need to curse Christian.

(Note: that last quote was added in for humorous purposes. And we at /Film didn't actually interview Mr. Bale for this piece, we just pretended like we did. Thanks E! and MTV.)

Are you surprised that Bale knows so little at this point? And what do you think the odds are that he and Nolan collaborate for a fourth Batman film after The Dark Knight Rises?