It was hard to avoid mention of the Bat-kid online this weekend, and for good reason. It was an enormously sweet story with some amazing images available, a pretty great combination.
Earlier today, I sat down with Christian Bale to talk about his work in the new film “Out Of The Furnace,” and it was pretty obvious from the moment I walked into the room that he was in a great mood. I know Bale has a reputation for being very intense, but I’ve always found him to be a thoughtful, articulate interview. You just have to walk in ready to have a real conversation. Today, though, there was that extra something, no doubt motivated in part by the pride he takes in his work in the film.
I had to ask him about Bat-kid, but not just about the boy. I mean, I think it’s safe to say that no one’s going to be coming out as strongly anti-Bat-kid in the press any time soon. My question was more about how it feels to be part of a legacy that can inspire people the way they were inspired by this story.
One of the reasons I can’t get too worked up one way or another about any of the details that are starting to emerge about Zack Snyder’s Superman and Batman film is because Batman is one of those characters who will continue to be re-interpreted by new filmmakers and new actors over time, and if you don’t like one version of Batman, just wait a while… there’ll be a new one along soon enough.
In this case, it seems to me like Bale appreciates not only what the films meant for him while he was making them, but what it means to be part of something that will continue to inspire audiences young and old in the future.
“Out Of The Furnace” is in theaters , 2013.