The Dark Knight Rises Will Be Christian Bale's Last Film

The actor has confirmed he will no longer play the Cape Crusader...

Christian Bale has announced plans to hang up his Batman cape for good, stating The Dark Knight Rises will be his last film as the comic book hero.

The Oscar-winning actor, who has played the Cape Crusader throughout Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, claims he will distance himself from the role if rumours suggesting that the franchise is to be rebooted prove true.

Bale, who has just finished filming Nolan's third Batman flick, told The Phillipine Daily Enquirer: "I wrapped a few days ago so that will be the last time I'm taking that [Batman mask] off."

The 37-year old added: "Everything's finished. It's me and [director Christopher Nolan] - that will be the end of that Batman era."

Bale shot to fame playing Batman back in 2005 in Nolan's first directed film about the masked crime-fighter, entitled Batman Begins, and earlier this year, he enjoyed success at The Oscars after taking home the gong for his supporting role in The Fighter.

Nolan recently revealed that The Dark Knight Rises picks up eight years after its predecessor, The Dark Knight, where Batman himself is "not in a great state" as he takes on Tom Hardy's ruthless villain, Bane. 

The Dark Knight Rises, which also stars Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine, hits UK cinemas on 20th July 2012…we can't wait!

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