BOOK REVIEW: Christian Bale - The Inside Story of the Darkest Batman, by Harrison Cheung - PLUS Win a Copy for Yourself!

BOOK REVIEW: Christian Bale - The Inside Story of the Darkest Batman, by Harrison Cheung - PLUS Win a Copy for Yourself!

Author Harrison Cheung spent nearly 10 years as Bale's personal assistant (among other things). His honest take on the volatile star is a true insider's view. In his book, Harrison not only relates first person accounts of Bale's notorious temper and intense dislike of publicity, but explains the details behind what shaped the man--from his very first acting experiences as Speilburg's child star, to the triumphant successes that culminated with Bale becoming Nolan's pick for the darkest of Dark Knights.

Review Opinion
By ComicBookMovie - Aug 06, 2012 12:08 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman
Source: Official Website

You may think you know Christian Bale as a talented actor with some eccentricities and an obvious anger management problem. Sure, he's spoiled, narcissistic, and feels a bit entitled, but we forgive him these negatives because of the admiration we all share in his ability to transport audiences into his fantasy.

Reading Cheung's account of his time with Bale, you'll have a vastly superior understanding about what makes the actor tick. While Bale's negatives are still there and in no way excused, some empathy is embued by learning about the interesting details that only Cheung and close family relations witnessed.

Considered "family" himself by Christian's manipulative father, Harrison becomes an unconventional ally of David Bale's crusade to make Christian a blockbuster star. Harrison describes David, a self-described con-artist who's biography is completely made up, as a charming Adam West look-alike and an enabler of epic proportions--although incredibly adept at playing Hollywood games.

Having earned the trust of the father, Harrison becomes as friendly with Christian himself, as it seems anyone can POSSIBLY be. Although at times, it amounts to a master/slave relationship.

This is an unlikely but true account of simple fan who becomes a real-life Alfred. From Canadian pen-pal, to sitting in the bat cave of Bale's Manhattan Beach home planning world domination. From humble beginnings, to a decade long relationship managing the unmanagable. Working without compensation for nearly 10 years, Harrison describes his duties evolving quickly from Internet Marketing Manager to Personal Assistant and Publicist--even doing cooking and laundry at times for the unorganized star and his Father.

-Learn about Bale's unconventional childhood, unhealthy relationship with his parents and his fascination with decay--including a strange curiosity with his own bodily fluids.

-See how Christian was practically forced into acting, and why he feels he is a man without a country.

-Hear how his early movie "bombs" (especially Newsies) were, in actuality, extremely instrumental in making him a star.

-Read about the moment the rebellious actor finally fully embraced his career by fighting to win the starring role in American Psycho, and what gave him the motivation and sheer willpower to literally starve himself for the role of Trevor Reznik in THE MACHINIST.

-Find out about his rivalry with Ethan Hawke, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ewan McGregor--and how he owes his rise to mega-stardom to his Internet fans.

-Learn the details behind the infamous Terminator rant, and what REALLY happened when he was accused of assaulting his Mother and sister just a day before THE DARK KNIGHT premiere in London ... and more!

-Check out the book's Official Website HERE.

This is a great read with an honest approach and completely void of any tabloid mentality. Any fan of the Batman star will want to have this book in his library.


Stay tuned for a CBM exclusive Interview with author Harrison Cheung Himself where we ask him (and he reveals) even MORE about the interesting background of our favorite Batman!

Click on the "thumbs up" graphic below for your chance to win a copy of Harrison's new book! We'll be randomly drawing 5 users this week, so be sure you have registered and have updated your email address.

BANE And DEATHSTROKE Live-Action Movie In Development At DC Studios
Related:

BANE And DEATHSTROKE Live-Action Movie In Development At DC Studios

Hayden Christensen Responds To BATMAN Rumors And Explains Why Darth Vader Would Beat Thanos
Recommended For You:

Hayden Christensen Responds To BATMAN Rumors And Explains Why Darth Vader Would Beat Thanos

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
DrainBamage
DrainBamage - 8/6/2012, 12:30 PM
I'm not that big a Bale fan that I'd actually go out and spend money on this.
NorrinRaddical
NorrinRaddical - 8/6/2012, 12:31 PM
super curious, despite grains of salt, especially the suddenly-dropped mother-beating charge. i take it Mr Cheung is no longer employed?
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 8/6/2012, 12:31 PM
Very cool, I think I might pick this up. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Sabconth
Sabconth - 8/6/2012, 12:32 PM
I wouldn't mind reading this.
BloodredNemesis
BloodredNemesis - 8/6/2012, 12:37 PM
I .....WANT
Shades
Shades - 8/6/2012, 12:38 PM
I'm intrigued.
JerseyJoker
JerseyJoker - 8/6/2012, 12:38 PM
A five star review for a book review on this site?

[frick]IN HUGE SURPRISE!!!!!1
TheDetectiveComicRises
TheDetectiveComicRises - 8/6/2012, 12:39 PM
One of the best actors today, the best Batman/Bruce Wayne in my opinion & my favorite CBM actor ever.
stevengil
stevengil - 8/6/2012, 12:42 PM
marvel72
marvel72 - 8/6/2012, 12:42 PM
his rivalry with dicaprio is probably why he was one of the only cast members not to return from inception.
Sabconth
Sabconth - 8/6/2012, 12:44 PM
@Yossarian

Don't you mean:

"I have zero interest in this, that's why I clicked on the article."
keytarhero
keytarhero - 8/6/2012, 12:50 PM
Has anybody taken the time to read reviews of this filth?

It's total tabloid trash, and this guy just wants to make a few bucks on what seems like a very tumultuous road to stardom.
inky
inky - 8/6/2012, 12:54 PM
you cant blame him he is welsh after all.
sadly he is in a proffesion that requires some dealing with the public true but media intrusion into actors lives is over the top and should be curtailed.
mr bale has made some good movies and been in some that well are learning experiences :).
Unas
Unas - 8/6/2012, 12:56 PM
Sounds like Yossarian has a bad case of the butt-hurt.
inky
inky - 8/6/2012, 1:02 PM
you know re reading this it sounds like some jilted lover spilling the beans on his boy friend becouse he wants his own name in lights these sort of books do tend towards the crap side of the coin.
TheBigBoss917
TheBigBoss917 - 8/6/2012, 1:04 PM
CoolantTech
CoolantTech - 8/6/2012, 1:07 PM
sounds like a good read, I would never pay for a copy though, I read about movies not the actors behind them
HelaGood
HelaGood - 8/6/2012, 1:19 PM
interesting...
and how did this article already get 31 thumbs up??? it's only been live for an hour.
ComicBookMovie
ComicBookMovie - 8/6/2012, 1:23 PM
Hela, there is a free drawing for the book, and you need to click the "like" button to enter. Tsk Tsk. You didn't read the whole article.
DEADP0000L
DEADP0000L - 8/6/2012, 1:26 PM
i will get this book
HelaGood
HelaGood - 8/6/2012, 1:31 PM
@Galactus...
now i feel like an idiot. LOL thanks! i didnt put two and two together...
NovemberGrey
NovemberGrey - 8/6/2012, 1:34 PM
Yea... this guy's full of it if he wants people to believe he worked a decade with little or no pay, and if he in fact did, he's a complete moron so I'm going to take what I read in this book with a little skepticism.
DudeGuy
DudeGuy - 8/6/2012, 1:38 PM
When does it get released? I'll be getting a copy for myself and my girlfriend
ComicBookMovie
ComicBookMovie - 8/6/2012, 1:42 PM
Charles,
What are you asking me about Screenrant for? Send your scoop in here!
UrbanKnight
UrbanKnight - 8/6/2012, 1:58 PM
I clicked on this article so... i just want to let everyone know i am interested in reading this, and i dont read biographies on celebs.
95
95 - 8/6/2012, 2:24 PM
Wouldn't mind reading that.
darkjoker1
darkjoker1 - 8/6/2012, 2:38 PM
sounds like a good read
DravinClaw
DravinClaw - 8/6/2012, 2:42 PM
should be interesting
skidz
skidz - 8/6/2012, 3:11 PM
I wonder if the books covers his visit to Aurora. I don't care unless that comes up. That event is either a life changer for him or shows you how complicated (maybe complex) he is.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 8/6/2012, 3:16 PM
If we buy this book, then we are f***ing 'enablers' too.
GoILL
GoILL - 8/6/2012, 4:40 PM
@skidz not likely there were excerpts from this book as early as May.
laughterman26
laughterman26 - 8/6/2012, 5:05 PM
i like christian bale, seems like a nice guy .......on the other hand HES BATMAN !!!!!!!
1 2
View Recorder