Key Takeaways:
– Christian Bale, despite his Batman stardom, had five significant box office failures.
– The films included, ‘Exodus: Gods and Kings,’ ‘Hostiles,’ ‘Out of the Furnace,’ ‘The Promise,’ and ‘Amsterdam.’
– While each of these films had considerable potential, they flopped at the box office due to various reasons.
– Nevertheless, Christian Bale continues to remain a renowned actor in Hollywood.
Christian Bale is a respected figure in Hollywood, revered for his immersive character transformations and performances. Despite his brilliant showcase as Batman in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, some of his films did not fare well at the box office. Here’s a closer look at five box office flops that even Bale’s Batman fame could not redeem.
Exodus: Gods and Kings
The legendary Ridley Scott, known for his epics like Gladiator, directed Bale in Exodus: Gods and Kings. However, the tale of biblical Exodus failed at the box office earning only $268 million against a budget of $140 million. Historical inaccuracies also sparked discontent. Notably, the movie was even banned in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates due to these inaccuracies.
Hostiles
Critics lauded the Scott Cooper directed Hostiles, but it didn’t resonate with the audience. Despite a stellar cast consisting of actors like Rosamund Pike, Stephen Lang, Jesse Plemons, and Timothée Chalamet, the flick only managed to draw in $35.7 million against a budget of $39 million.
Out of the Furnace
Bale teamed with Scott Cooper again for the 2013 crime-drama film Out of the Furnace. The movie depicted the story of a steel mill worker searching for his Iraq-war veteran brother. Yet again, despite positive critical response, Out of the Furnace made only $15.7 million at the box office.
The Promise
The Promise, a love triangle set in the final years of the Ottoman Empire, featured Bale alongside Oscar Issac. The film not only received mixed reviews but also caused Open Road Films to lose over $100 million. It garnered only $12.4 million at the box office.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam saw Bale and David O. Russell reuniting after a successful stint with American Hustle. Despite having a huge star cast including Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Rami Malek, and Robert De Niro, the film failed to impress. Criticized for its plot and direction, Amsterdam lost the studio an estimated $108.4 million despite its production design and performances receiving appreciation.
In conclusion, Christian Bale undeniably has an impressive Hollywood portfolio. However, these five films demonstrate that even an Oscar winner’s fame cannot guarantee box-office success. Regardless, Bale’s commitment to his craft and his ability to phenomenally transform for roles continues to make him an intriguing actor in Hollywood.
