Christian Bale Had To Audition For Batman While Wearing Val Kilmer’s Old Suit

The Ultimate Collector’s Edition box set of the Dark Knight trilogy is out in stores this week, and in addition to all three of Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies, it also comes packed with a ton of behind-the-scenes footage and special features — including this surreal-as-heck test footage of Christian Bale acting alongside Amy Adams.

Don’t get too excited while watching this, Amy stans — she was just doing a favor to the crew and acting as a stand-in for the audition. What you really want to focus on is the way that Bale tries to act around the giant cowl he’s wearing, which is the reason he got the role in the first place. Nolan explains:

“It’s not about acting ability or chemistry or any of those things, it’s about being able to project this extraordinary iconography from the inside. […] You could not give a normal performance. You could not give an ordinary performance. You had to project massive energy through this costume in order to not question the costume.”

You know what this probably means, though? It means that if the Man of Steel guys are casting their movie the same way, then Ben Affleck probably had to dress up in Bale’s suit and do the part in a similar screen test. What I wouldn’t give for that footage, you guys.

(via Comics Alliance)

Meanwhile in related links

• Wonder if they’re using that script that Justin Bieber’s got
• Check out Pete Holmes’ brilliant Good Will Batman parody
• This city in France desperately need Batman’s help