Christian Bale: 'I Became A Beast To Play Batman'

Christian Bale has opened up about his approach to playing Batman for the first time when he auditioned for the iconic comic book role.

Speaking to MTV, the acclaimed actor admitted that he had found the DC Comics' character slightly ridiculous - and decided that the only way to play him effectively was to "become a beast".

"I got there," he told us. "They put me in Val Kilmer's suit. It didn't even fit properly, and I stood in it and I went, 'I feel like an idiot'.

"What kind of guy walks around, dressed like a bat? And is then going to go, 'Hello, how are you? Just ignore that I'm dressed as a bat'.

"Of course, he's meant to be doing this. If you look at the history of the guy and the pain that he went through. I went, 'I can't do this in a normal voice. I have to become a beast in order to sell this to myself'."

Bale's first audition as the caped crusader was released as a DVD extra earlier this year.

He recently advised new Batman star Ben Affleck to make sure he can use the toilet comfortably in his costume.