Christian Bale Apologizes for Outburst on ‘Terminator’ Set

A few days ago, a recording made on the set of “Terminator: Salvation,” in which main star Christian Bale could be heard lashing out at director of photography Shane Hurlbut, was leaked on the Internet. Since then, the Bale scandal has reached epic proportions, with several sketches and even remixes popping up on the net, and fans weighing in on the debate. In a phone interview with L.A.’s Kevin & Bean show on KROQ, Christian Bale has apologized and explained his behavior that day.

According to the actor who, in the meantime, has listened to everything that’s being said about his outburst, he was just having a bad day when it happened. Set on making the audience understand that he was not just being a “prima donna,” Bale wants the world to know that the 4-minute profanity-laden rant does not represent him as a professional, in the sense that this is not how he acts everyday on set. He just forgot to step out of character, he says, which, mixed with his highly flammable temper, led to him lashing out at the DP who ruined his scene.

Bale also owns up to acting like a “punk” who, of course, deserves all the mocking he’s getting right now. However, he says, most of the words said that day were just “hot air,” insults and statements that he did not mean – as a matter of fact, he explains, he and Hurlbut made up that very day and continued to have the most wonderful professional relationship ever since.

Another topic that Bale approaches in his phone interview is that fans should not miss out on “Terminator” solely on account of his outburst. The Terminator mythology is truly something amazing, and letting the actor’s rant prevent fans from experiencing it again would be an immense shame, Bale explains. Not only does the outburst have nothing to do with “Terminator,” but it’s entirely his own fault, so fans should not judge the film by what he did.

“The thing that I really want to stress is that I have no confusion whatsoever. I was out of order, beyond belief. I was way out of order. I acted like a punk. I regret that and there is nobody that has heard that tape that it’s hit harder by it than me. So I make no excuses for it. It is inexcusable and I hope that is absolutely clear. I’m embarrassed by it. I ask everybody to sit down and ask themselves, have they ever had a bad day and have they ever lost their temper and really regretted it immensely. Feel free to make fun of me at my expense; I deserve it completely.” Bale explains.

For the entire explanation, just go here to listen to it.