CHRISTIAN BALE - BALE PUTS BATMAN BEGINS STAR POWER TO GOOD USE

BALE PUTS BATMAN BEGINS STAR POWER TO GOOD USE

British actor CHRISTIAN BALE is delighted with the star power BATMAN BEGINS has given him, because he can now attract financial backing for the smaller films he wants to star in. Bale, who first found fame as a teenager in STEVEN SPIELBERG's EMPIRE OF THE SUN, wanted take on the lead role in new movie HARSH TIMES several years ago, but financiers refused to support him. Following his recent box office success, the 32-year-old got back in touch with director DAVID AYER and promised he would find the funds to make their dream come true. He says, "I'd met Dave three years back and he couldn't get his movie made with me (in it). "After Batman, I turned around and said, 'I can get this movie made now.'"