Christian Bale and I Are Done Professionally

This has to be heard to be believed. This week TMZ released the audio of Christian Bale's nearly four minute (!) profanity laced tirade on the set of Terminator: Salvation apparently caused when director of photography Shane Hurlbut walked onset and ruined an important scene between him and Bryce Dallas Howard. Bale's behavior is reprehensible for sure but I'll tell you what's even more reprehensible: Some people actually attempting to defend it. Over the past couple of days I've heard the following excuses:

- He's "very serious about his craft."
- His concentration can't be broken
- If you've never acted you "just don't understand."
- It was the most pivotal, emotional scene in the film.
- He was distraught over Heath's death.
- It was taken "out of context"
- McG is the director
- The set was unprofessional.
- Hurlbut should have known better. He's been in the business for 20 years

And here's my personal favorite, a real keeper from Whoopi Goldberg:

"We don't know if this is at the end of the day. We don't know how many hours he's been working. And it's tough."

I have a better explanation: Bale is a douchebag. Can you imagine if any of us pulled something like that on the job? Woe is him. Must be tough for an A-List superstar actor raking in millions of dollars a year to have to tolerate a crew member making an honest mistake. I'm sure he's never blown a take before. Not surprisingly, The Dark Knight fanboys have also come out of the woodwork defending him on the basis that he just must have been so used to dealing with the highest level of professionalism on Christopher Nolan's set. What a joke. Nolan's set could have been a complete disaster for all we know

It won't be long now before Bale issues some kind of public apology through his publicist or something. Except treating people like this isn't a "mistake." This guy needs serious help for his rage issues. And before producers convince themselves Bale is worth all the aggravation they should ask themselves just how much he really contributed to The Dark Knight's commercial success. I'd say very little to nothing. He was merely adequate in the film, and you could even reasonably argue the weakest link. Clooney could have reprised the role and it probably would have made just as much money.

Sure, Bale's a great actor but I wouldn't blame anyone in the industry if they didn't want to work with guy ever again. But they will because he's (falsely) perceived as being "bankable." And who Bale should really be cursing out is his agent for letting him star in a Terminator sequel directed by McG. Now that's a tape I'd want to hear.

Cool shirt though.