Christian Bale: Dark Knight shouldn't be banned

Actor says the new Batman film is a tribute to Heath Ledger

Monday, 7 July 2008

Christian Bale has spoken out against critics who want the latest movie in the Batman series to be banned.

Some fans of Heath Ledger claim that releasing The Dark Knight is disrespectful to the actor, who was found dead in his New York apartment in January.

‘I know there are a lot of people out there who don’t think this movie should be shown,’ 34-year-old Christian says. ‘But I think that’s insane. It’s an insult to Heath and everything he stood for.’

Fans say the scene in which Heath’s character The Joker is carried into the street in a body bag should be removed.

But Christian, who plays Batman in the movie, says the movie should remain unchanged as a tribute to the 28-year-old.

‘I don’t think anything should be cut – it’s the movie he wanted to make,’ he tells Live magazine.

‘The guy was brilliant. He was a fantastic actor and he put everything into this part. I absolutely know without question that he would have wanted everyone to see it.

The Dark Knight is released on 25 July.