Where Is Christian Bale In All Public Enemy Promotion?
.jpg "Where Is Christian Bale In All Public Enemy Promotion?")
This morning everyone is asking why Johnny Depp is the only one showing up on all posters and published screencaps to promote his latest movie, 'Public Enemies'. Where is Christian Bale? Why is his image not being used?
Because he isn't famous enough...
According to the ever-reliable Ulmer Scale, which measures domestic and worldwide actor bankability, Depp is overshadowed only by Will Smith in his ability to get butts in seats. Brad Pitt comes in at No. 3 on the Ulmer Scale. Bale, who may be a very talented actor, is not so bankable an actor; he is not even on the current Ulmer top 10. Why is this important?
Because film marketing "all comes down to recognizable star power and iconic imagery," says Steve Greenwald, coauthor of The Business of Film. "Johnny Depp is a bigger, more recognizable star than Bale, especially off the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. The image from the film that is being used is probably more striking than any of Bale, and Depp is the Public Enemy of the title."
If Universal Pictures wanted to add Bale to the marketing posters, they would have had to either squeeze him in there with Depp or create separate posters, in the same way Warner Bros. did when marketing Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
The first option would have diluted Depp's selling power, says David Eichler, a publicist who has worked at Hollywood über-agency CAA and at studios such as Warner Bros., Fox and Disney.
Does anyone else feel sorry for Christian? I mean, it always seems he is overshadowed by something no matter what he does. While walking the red carpet for 'Batman Begins', everyone only cared about Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. When 'Terminator Salvation' came around, everyone was just talking about his anger burst and now it's all about Johnny Depp.
Do you think Christian has enough star power to pull a movie? Personally, I like anything he does - so if he was on a poster, I would want to see it just as much as if Johnny was used.
19090 points
I really didnt even notice.
Not famous enough? i dont think so, he comes out movie after movie, he been in every hit movie for over the past year practically
44765 points
I'm not really a fan of Bale , but i do think it's not really fair to him, i'm sure he works as hard as anyone else in the movie if not harder, so yes, they should've make another poster with him on it!
3110 points
poor guy: everyone was just talking about his anger burst....
hilarious!
and i can't believe that that sciento will could attract more audience than depp. maybe it depends on the roles they play? will's latest movies were all so american hero i wanted to pu**.
51605 points
Is Christian Bale a Scientologist?
51605 points
Wikipedia does not list him as a Scientologist.... I sure hope he's not part of that cult...
PP was referring to WS being a scientologist (he set up a scientologist school in Los Angeles, and hangs out with Tom Cruise, among other things)--he's the only bigger draw in movies than Johnny Depp.
(I hope this isn't a double-post--problems with posting here.) Anyway, Bale seems way too independent to need something that seems so freedom-sucking like scientology. No freedom to rant and rage on set! ;)
37590 points
I'm not a Bale fan either and hadn't even noticed that he wasn't on any of the promotions. At the end of the day he works for the studios not the other way around if they decided not to put him on he should just deal with it....atleast he's getting paid.
82035 points
Straight up!
920 points
all about the $$$$
This is kinda sad for Christian but I can see why Depp would be used. He does have better selling power.
2610 points
Of course Depp has more star power- he's face is iconic on it's own- nevermind his acting skills. He has very broad appeal. Bale, is a very talented actor and he is well known- he's Batman for goodness sake! However, every movie advertises with it's biggest star- the one that has the star power and will bring in the money. I think Bale is very famous, but Depp has been in some unforgettable films.
I thought the trailer was interesting. Depp didn't have 'Oscar nominated/ winner" after his name, but Marion Cottilard did... is that because Depp is so well known they don't have to use the 'Oscar nominated' to get people to watch a film because people know he's a talented guy??
25775 points
"OHHH GOOD FOR YOU!" - Christian Bale, decent actor and douche.
82035 points
LOL!
10470 points
I think it is more that Johnny Depp has a far more recognizable face and name. He's been around in the movie business for a number of years and has a huge fan base. Christian is still a newbie, and while very handsome, maybe not A list just yet. And he still has to live down that taped angery melt down...that could take a while too.
Seriously Newbie?! Bale and Depp's debuts on the big screen were only a few years apart. It has been a long, long road for both actors. Younger? yes...newbie? Not so much.
I think Christian Bale has plenty of star power - he's Batman, after all! But he doesn't seem the type to me to go seek that kind of stardom, so he's probably psyched that he's in this movie and doesn't have to do all the publicity like Johnny has to do. During his interviews last summer for The Dark Knight, he seemed bored by the questions they asked and like he didn't want to be there at all, so this is the best of both worlds. I don't think there's any reason to feel bad for Christian - he's still in some of the biggest summer movies, whether or not he's on the posters.
13985 points
isn't johnny the star of the movie? i know christian bale's character is a major one, but wouldn't it still be considered a supporting role?
I was thinking the same thing.... Jonny is playing John Dillinger and isnt the movie centered around him and his life?????
Yes, exactly. This is a stupid article. Bale has long said that he plays a supporting role in this movie. He's fine with that. Why can't the gossip rags be fine with that instead of trying to make it into another way to bring up the anger stuff? By the way, on Entertainment Tonight, Depp says he wants to work with Bale again -- in Batman or anything else.
5325 points
I think it comes down to the fact that Johnny Depp is just far more famous and likable than Christian Bale. Also, Johnny Depp is the star of the movie. Like the article said, he's the title role, the "public enemy." And I'll admit, it's Johnny Depp that is getting me into the theater to see it. If all of the promotion just showed Christian Bale, I'd probably be far less determined to see the movie.
38175 points
It is kind of odd that he's not in the TV spots, or if he is, so briefly that I haven't noticed. He is a big-name actor, maybe not as likable (and therefore, bankable) as Johnny, but still an A-Lister.
Yes, because being famous is like, so totally awesome!
9275 points
Oh this is movie is an interesting conundrum for me- I'll see anything Bale is in, but I have a standing rule to see nothing Depp is it. (I just CAN'T see his appeal) Oh man...... Anyway, Bale has said a few times in interviews that he isn't overly fond of the press and pomp, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was willing in the decision to make it all about Depp.
2610 points
You don't Depp? Can I ask why? He's been in so many good films, it's strange to hear someone who doesn't like him.
I don't really like him, either. Well, not him really, but his acting. I know nothing about him personally, but I have always felt like he overacts. I can't think of anything that I've seen him in that I liked--except Cry Baby, where he's supposed to be crazy over the top. Tons of people disagree with me, obviously! I think it's just a matter of taste in acting styles.
1215 points
Or maybe because the movie is more about John Dillinger, played by Depp. I highly doubt it's because Bale isn't famous enough.
800 points
I think because of his previous tirade, executives put him on the back burner. I really think JD is way way way way way overrated.. I'd rather hear an interview with Christian Bale. Did anyone see JD's pics of the Mad Hatter, he looks like Madonna, what a joke!
Trina
15060 points
Well, Depp's the star.
3085 points
Agree...not much to talk about here.
The studio has to keep The Douche with diarrhea of the mouth in the background. The more likable Depp is a better gamble. Terminator didn't do well in the box office after "BALEGATE".
Yeah, it had nothing to do with the fact that the storyine was crappy and McG is a god awful director...
13985 points
or that no one really cares about terminator anymore...
I think a lot of it probably has to do with the fact that Bale has made it clear that he hates the promotion side. He's an incredible actor, but just not good at being a celebrity at all. Johnny Depp is a better choice for the face of the movie.
25679 points
The movie is about John Dillinger, so it makes sense that the actor playing him is the one featured in the posters.
11780 points
They are gonna make more money by making Johnny do the dirty work. Johnny is gonna attract more people than Christian. And I'm not a very big fan of Christian so I don't really care.
they needed a hundred percent FAGGOT-LOOKALIKE, folks!!
.................F*GGOT LOOKALIKE, that is!!
F*GGOT-LOOKALIKE.
9350 points
Johnny Depp - Yum!
3345 points
not all film stars want to be celebs. Johnny's the star of this one and it appears that Christian is accepting it graciously (gratefully). The one with the "perceived slight" is Christian, if he's ok with it, why make a big deal out of it? But it is an interesting observation, it hadn't even really occurred to me.
I think Bale is a terrific actor - every bit as talented as Depp. Anyone see him (Bale) in "The Machinist"? He was amazing. Don't get me wrong - I like Depp, but I don't think he's a better actor. Better known here in the States perhaps. But I do agree that Depp (as Dillinger) probably would (and perhaps should) be given top billing for this particular film.
I love Bale, but I'm sure he would prefer no having all the attention.
25 points
Cause no one gives a toss about 'the other dude'.....
Terminator flopped.His movies outside Batman dont do well like Prestige,Rescue Dawn,New World,Harsh Times.
His acting is so one note.
I will not waste my money on a-hole Bale who's just always intense in his performances,Depp the anti American who's channeling weirdos in all his movies these days,Cotillard the hypocrite blasting America but works in Hollywood. She's a marginal actress and talks like PePe le Pew and looks like a lizard.
If not for their significant others I want Christian Bale for Katie Holmes but his temper scares me.
Bottom line about Bale: What he has done came back to him. He is Public Enemy now because he treats people with no respect. WB must have lil'faith in him now too with their lack of enthusiam for Batman 3.
There's nothing special about Bale. He is aging fast and he's only good onscreen playing himself as in jerk and psycho. Depp is just playing Tim Burton in 90% of his movies plus he's an idiot who trashes America because he loves France yet he forgets France is messed up with all the wars and riots caused by fanatic Muslims in France,in Europe as in globally.
If he hates the U.S. so much he should retire for good in his Island and take all his pro-Ben ladin buddies like Rosie,Baldwin,Paltrow,Megan Fox,Maggie Gyllenhaal,Madonna,Therona with him and zero talent muppet face Moron Cotillard. She talks like Pepe Le Pew in Public Enemies.HAHA!
I don't think he cares. His role in this film is small anyway.
Bale is a great actor, why does everyone think they know these people, besides their acting and the way they dress, you do not know a damn thing about them....crazy!
Time for the image re-hab Christian... it never ceases to amaze me. Actors and Actresses become celebrities in our culture and with it comes the trappings.. ie. the paps.. if you can't deal, maybe it's time for a new career choice... Christian is totally smokin, but has always come across as a bit of a snot...
he cant act and he's box office poison......look at Transformers critics lashing at it right and left yet its powerful at the box office unlike Terminator that failed
first, this is Johnny's movie, it's about Dillinger. Bale doesn't need to be the protagonist all the time just to show how talented he is.
As for Batman Begins having the attention all on Katie Holmes at the time of its release, it was negative media speculation on her part, but Christian carried the movie very well as Batman and it shows.
He could give a rat's ass about how he's not famous enough and not being the leading man in a movie. In fact, he probably likes it this way.
Besides true movie critics know what kind of actor Christian Bale is. He doesn't need a blockbuster to justify that.
I'm a huge fan of Christian Bale since I was 17, when I saw him in "Empire of the Sun". His performance touched me so deeply that I cried at the ending scene. Since then I've seen almost all his movies, I've fallen in love not only with his beauty, but also with his extraordinary talent, always wondering why he was not getting the fame and recognition he deserved.
I know he doesn't like being in the spotlight and this is surely one reason he's not yet as famous and "bankable" as Di Caprio or Depp, notwithstanding he starred in 2 Batman Movies and Terminator Salvation. I guess he's quite fine with that anyway. He's getting good roles, earning enough money to ensure safe future to himself and his family and spending a lot of time with his lovely daughter and wife... I think he's far happier than any of those "very bankable" celebrities out there :)
I agree Christian Bale is the finest ACTOR of his generation - or any other generation I've lived through. I would never go to see "public enemies" if he were not in it! I could care less about what'shis name - the supposed "star" of the movie. Suppose that many were not around to see "Empire of the Sun" and all the other wonderful movies Bale has made.
He does not need anyone else to "carry" a movie. He can do it all by himself. Hope someday he will be rewarded for the terrific actor he is.
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