Didn't get into this for creature comforts, says Chrisitan Bale

The intense action-man, Christian talks about terminator 4 and more...

The intense action-man, christian talks about terminator 4 and more...

Christian Bale's almost as unpredictable as his film choices. A magician, a masked vigilante and now, a freedom fighter these characters have nothing in common except the actor who plays them. We wondered if Bale's answers would be as unpredictable and edgy as his career choices...

I WANTED TO BE THERE: Christian Bale gets a feel of things, firsthand. Even here...

You almost never did Terminator: Salvation ?
Initially, when McG (the film's director), approached me, I wasn't too happy with the way it was scripted. No offense to the earlier director but I didn't like the third one much; I didn't really see the point of another Terminator movie. I liked the idea that it could happen because I liked the first two films very much. But there was a missing element in the script I read. McG was adamant and promised to get back with changes in his original story line. He somehow wanted me to be a part of the film. This time we both settled the script and reached at a consensus.

Was it a conscious decision to play the strongest graph of the John Connoru00a0 character?
First of all, I didn't decide to play John Connor, it was the director's choice. And if you look at John in the other films, he has played different shades altogether in all three films. He is someone living with the prediction of what his life could become. I felt no need to try and continue any of that as I think that's the main appeal of this movie.u00a0 The only thing that we really continued was his adeptness with technology. One must have never seen John under such a different light and this slight deviation in the character of John actually made me feel better to be a valuable portion to the film.

Is intensity a very important part of your acting process?
I feel like I work when I bleed (laughs). I remember a story I heard about Jimi Hendrix; how he would play till there was blood coming out of his fingers onto the strings. I loved that image of someone who ignored pain because he loved what he was doing so much. I didn't get into this for creature comforts.

Have you done your own stunts for the film?
There were not many places I used stunt doubles on this film. We did have some because of time constraints. There were occasions where stunts were being shot and I had to do another scene so I couldn't do both. Whenever I could, I wanted to be there. I never believe an action scene is there just for the sake of action. It should be there for story otherwise you should discard them completely. I consider it part of the performance, so therefore I should be in the fight. I will do as much as I can. With this film, I found I could do an awful lot of it.
u00a0
Your favourite Terminator film?
I do remember when I was 17 and went to see TERMINATOR 2. It was the most enthusiastic crowd I have ever sat with, at a theater. I could barely hear any of the dialogues in the movie so I watched that movie again. I think just because of the sheer magnitude of the audience's reaction, it will be one of my most memorable movie-watching experiences.

If not John Connor, what character would you rather have played?
Now, that I have got under the skin of my character, I find it difficult to imagine myself as anybody else. If anything, maybe as one of the robots. Maybe then, I'd get to throw around smaller robots on the sets (laughs).

Does our country, India or its film industry, interest you even a wee bit?
Regrettably, I haven't had the chance to watch anything from there yet or even visit the country. I'd love to work in one, if the right script comes along and if they can afford me.