Bale Speaks Out on Leaked Audio Outburst

Published by Jeff Leins on February 6, 2009

Earlier this week, audio of Christian Bale letting loose a profanity-filled rant leaked to the Internet.  Bale went off on DP Shane Hurlbut on the set of Terminator Salvation for distracting him during a scene.

Bale has finally spoken publicly on the issue in a radio interview this morning:
“It’s been a miserable week for me. I know I have a potty mouth, everybody knows that now. I have no confusion whatsoever. I was out of order beyond belief, I was way out of order. I acted like a punk, I regret that and there is nobody that has heard that tape that has been hit harder by it. I make no excuses for it, it is inexcusable and I hope that is absolutely clear.

“One thing that has really disturbed me throughout this is I’m not familiar or comfortable with this notion of being a movie star. I’m an actor and I’m don’t quite know how to handle it. The thing that disturbs me so much is that I’ve heard a lot of people saying that I seem to think I’m better than anybody else. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I’m a lucky SOB. I never forget that and that is why I put so much into what I do and I care so much about it . Sometimes that enthusiasm just goes awry.”

“I am embarrassed by it and I regret it. And I ask everybody to sit down and ask themselves, ‘Have they ever had a bad day and have they ever lost their temper and really regretted it immensely?’”

It has been interesting to read and listen to the divided reactions to Bale’s tirade this week.  Most are hearing foul language and empty threats before jumping on the bandwagon that he’s a jerk and a diva.  But the other side of the argument (one that I still belong to) is Bale lost his cool because Mr. Hurlbut was being unprofessional.

Bale, like most people, wants things done right.  The movie will be around forever and it doesn’t matter whether it’s Shakespeare or Terminator, good actors want to deliver good performances.

You can’t constantly wander around in someone’s line of sight when they’re trying to work.  If you were giving a speech and someone was pacing back and forth in the audience you’d eventually say something.  Yeah, Bale lost his temper, that much is obvious.  But like Bale said, everyone loses their temper.  The only difference is celebrities have to deal with those moments being broadcast on the Internet.

Here are a few funny examples of public commentary this week:
Dispair, Inc. came out with a T-shirt that lets everyone know you’re done with Christian Bale professionally.

Some great videos spliced together by clever people.

Harry Knowles from Ain’t It Cool News claimed it wasn’t news in a lengthy news story about the incident.  Go figure.  He then went on to agree with me and close down further discussion in the comments section.

Meanwhile, this whiner on Tumblr is exploiting the anonymity of the Internet to say I’m an “idiot” and “moronic celebrity kiss-ass” for disagreeing with him.  In a little tantrum of his own, Angry Typing Guy goes all “Christian Bale” on me more than the actual news story before calling me an “ass” once more for good measure.  Kids say the darnedest things, don’t they?  I’m officially inviting him down off his high horse with the rest of us who admit to having a bad day or losing our temper.  Come on, be honest…  It’ll be ok, little buddy.