Happy Birthday, Mr. Bale

From "Empire" to "The Dark Knight"

Warner Bros. has been with Christian Bale from his theatrical breakthrough at the age of 13 in Steven Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun to his iconic dual role of Bruce Wayne and the Dark Knight in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster TDK trilogy, which has just been released on 4k Ultra High Definition Blu-ray. Today we celebrate the Wales-born actor’s 44th birthday with a quick look back on a few of Bale's WB films spanning 30+ years. 

Empire of the Sun

Thirteen-year-old Christian Bale pictured on the set of 1987's Empire of the Sun with director Steven Spielberg and co-star John Malkovich
Thirteen-year-old Christian Bale pictured on the set of 1987's Empire of the Sun with director Steven Spielberg and co-star John Malkovich.

Batman Begins

Christian Bale and director Christopher Nolan go over notes during a scene for 2005's Batman Begins.
Christian Bale and director Christopher Nolan go over notes during a scene for 2005's Batman Begins.

The Dark Knight

Sans the trademark cowl, Christian Bale prepares for a shot on the set of 2008's blockbuster The Dark Knight as director Christopher Nolan and crew look on.
Sans the trademark cowl, Christian Bale prepares for a scene on the set of 2008's blockbuster The Dark Knight as director Christopher Nolan and crew look on.

Terminator Salvation

In between his stints as the Dark Knight, Bale starred as John Connor in the fourth installment of the Terminator franchise.
In between his stints as the Dark Knight, Bale starred as John Connor in the fourth installment of the Terminator franchise.

The Dark Knight Rises

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne stands in front of his alter ego costume for the last time in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises.
Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne stands in front of his alter ego costume for the last time in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises.

Bale next appears in Warner Bros. Pictures' Mowgli, based on Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, which arrives in theaters October 19.