Christian Bale Fights Back Tears Over Heath Ledger At The MTV Movie Awards

Before the presentation of new footage from The Dark Knight Rises at last night's MTV Movie Awards, snippets from Batman Begins and The Dark Knight were shown, leaving star Christian Bale close to tears. Read on for details.

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By Josh Wilding - 6/4/2012

Unfortunately, the videos below don't seem to cover the entirety of Christian Bale's speech (hopefully MTV will release it at some point this week) but the second one in particular shows just how emotional the actor became after seeing scenes of Heath Ledger's Joker played during the awards ceremony last night. "Wow, great to remember Heath at that moment. Wonderful to see Heath Ledger there," he said. The Dark Knight Rises footage shown following the introduction by Bale and co-stars Gary Oldman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt has also yet to be released officially online. Be sure to sound off with your thoughts in the usual place.

Get More: 2012 Movie Awards, New Movies

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ "The Dark Knight Rises" is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. The screenplay is written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer. The film is produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Charles Roven, who previously teamed on “Batman Begins” and the record-breaking blockbuster "The Dark Knight." The executive producers are Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Kevin De La Noy and Thomas Tull, with Jordan Goldberg serving as co-producer. The film is based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by Bob Kane.

STARRING:

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Michael Caine as Alfred
Gary Oldman as Commissioner Jim Gordon
Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox
Tom Hardy as Bane
Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake
Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate
Josh Pence as Ra's Al Ghul

RELEASE DATE: July 20th, 2012

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179 Comments

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	DoomXfactor - 6/4/2012, 4:24 PM Login to report abuse This is [frick]ing sad...what could have been...
	Supersonicboobs - 6/4/2012, 4:24 PM Login to report abuse can you imagine what TDKR would have been if Heath was Alive!!!
	HelaGood - 6/4/2012, 4:24 PM Login to report abuse after TDKR they should concentrate on other DC properties...
	INSTANTJUSTICE - 6/4/2012, 4:26 PM Login to report abuse No tears for that poor D.O.P.
	AlexDeLarge87 - 6/4/2012, 4:27 PM Login to report abuse Aaaah... Poor Chris. ;( I miss Heath too. No one deserves to die that young.
	AlexDeLarge87 - 6/4/2012, 4:29 PM Login to report abuse Wasnt he the same age like River Phoenix.
	dmadtroll - 6/4/2012, 4:29 PM Login to report abuse can you imagine if Heath Ledger didn't play The Joker and is still alive. maybe TDKR wouldn't get this much hype for everyone.
	DoomXfactor - 6/4/2012, 4:29 PM Login to report abuse
	shadyginzo - 6/4/2012, 4:30 PM Login to report abuse does it make me a horrible cynic that I watch this and see an actor using his "tricks of the trade" to shake of the less than savoury image he's gained over the years? Actually feel like quite a bastard!
	GuardianAngel - 6/4/2012, 4:31 PM Login to report abuse He has a heart?
	MrReese - 6/4/2012, 4:31 PM Login to report abuse R.I.P Heath!!
	jessepostal - 6/4/2012, 4:36 PM Login to report abuse @yoss totally agree
	AlexDeLarge87 - 6/4/2012, 4:37 PM Login to report abuse By the way that should have been the name of this movie. The Legend of the Dark Knight. I know its kinda cliche but to me it fits better.
	shadyginzo - 6/4/2012, 4:37 PM Login to report abuse seems Bale is irredeemable! side note, cheers Helagood for my new favourite gif :)
	dahamma - 6/4/2012, 4:39 PM Login to report abuse Its sad, but do you guys really think he really had a heart felt mourning moment there?
	BB - 6/4/2012, 4:42 PM Login to report abuse what a p****, cant believe dc have got such a wuss to play their iconic character
	Knightrider - 6/4/2012, 4:43 PM Login to report abuse @Dahamma I think it is genuine, I think people are sadly a little to cynical these days.
	BB - 6/4/2012, 4:44 PM Login to report abuse how can people cry for a druggie, someone who took their own life
	Supersonicboobs - 6/4/2012, 4:44 PM Login to report abuse im just throwing this out there- but will Man of Steel teaser be with TDKR premiere??... im not hearing 'anything' form that movie..like its some top secret spy plane from Area 51!
	Knightrider - 6/4/2012, 4:46 PM Login to report abuse @Supersonicboobs I thought it was, but it has gone quiet, but hopefully nearer the time we will know for sure, TDKR attached to the Avengers, wasn't announced that long before the film...I think.
	shadyginzo - 6/4/2012, 4:49 PM Login to report abuse suppose it's not beyond the realms of possibility, but it seems strange that Bale should show this crack in composure more than 4 years, when at the time he was emotionally collected/respectful. remorsfully I just see a stunt.
	rondz123 - 6/4/2012, 4:49 PM Login to report abuse @SHADYGINZO YOUR NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT FEELS THIS WAY.....I THINK THAT TOO AND I LIKE CHRIS BALE BUT I THINK THERE IS SOME JELOUSY FROM HIM TO HEATH BECAUSE HEATH STOLE HIS FFRANCHISE AND FILM . IT WAS LIKE HE WAS MOCKING HEATH
	someone79 - 6/4/2012, 4:52 PM Login to report abuse ...people who actually think this was staged really need to check their heads...do you actually think you know more about bale and heath than the guy who actually worked with him, shared months of hard work and god knows what else?...u ppl are a disgrace...
	ckal - 6/4/2012, 4:52 PM Login to report abuse Alexdelarge87- The Dark Knight Legacy? =P
	TheBigBoss917 - 6/4/2012, 4:54 PM Login to report abuse Trash the [frick]ing lights
	Supersonicboobs - 6/4/2012, 4:54 PM Login to report abuse @Knightrider ok thanks
	PreparationH - 6/4/2012, 4:55 PM Login to report abuse @Intruder Are you never not a debby downer?
	SmellofDuty - 6/4/2012, 4:59 PM Login to report abuse It was actually pretty sad when it happened.
	Ashes2Phoenix - 6/4/2012, 5:02 PM Login to report abuse Let's look at it this way. Bale and Ledger probably became very close because they were working together. Ledger suddenly died out of the blue. It would have been a shock for everyone involved. My grandmother died out of the blue two years ago and it still hurts me to think about it to this day. Grief can be a very random. The franchise is about to tell it's the final chapter, which has been a big part of Bale's life. Of course the man is going to feel emotional. I don't think this is down to any cheap parlour tricks. What would they gain from it. This film is hyped as it is. Many people loved The Dark Knight and many people want to see how this all ends. I am a fan of Lost. The episode that had the most viewings was the final episode because people wanted to see what happens. Even if people don't like this franchise they will still be drawn to watch it because it is the conclusion of two critically acclaimed films. We are definitely living in the age of cynics, that is certain.
	TankD - 6/4/2012, 5:03 PM Login to report abuse hope everyone knows Bale never even went to Ledgers funeral. and the character he most Identifies with and embodies in real life is Pat Bateman. If you dont believe me you can read his memoirs. Im sure that was just an act. RIP ledger
	SmellofDuty - 6/4/2012, 5:04 PM Login to report abuse DE4DP00L You're a [frick]ing dick.
	hope420 - 6/4/2012, 5:04 PM Login to report abuse @someone79 I have worked on Mtv a couple years ago doing art for them and I saw behind the scenes on some stuff and I hate to say it but odds are this was set up.
	KnightGambit - 6/4/2012, 5:05 PM Login to report abuse The MTV footage is on some youtube places and Movie Web
	GiantNerd0720 - 6/4/2012, 5:09 PM Login to report abuse If Bale wasn't an egotistical douche this thread would be different. If it was Gary Oldman getting choked up people would respect it.
	R888 - 6/4/2012, 5:10 PM Login to report abuse Heath your a legend mate, YOU ARE THE JOKER, RIP mate :( @Goomba
	SageMode - 6/4/2012, 5:15 PM Login to report abuse Using the death of the person that brought in 99.99% draw to the last film for the sequel. Smart low move
	marvel72 - 6/4/2012, 5:17 PM Login to report abuse it was very sad that heath took his life at such a young age,but saying that bale is an oscar winning actor & that was one fine performance.
	DanteSparda - 6/4/2012, 5:22 PM Login to report abuse If he were really Batman Im sure it would have happened like this:
	jazzman - 6/4/2012, 5:23 PM Login to report abuse @AlexDeLarge87 i say "The Dark Kinght Legacy" lol :P
	JakeDixon - 6/4/2012, 5:25 PM Login to report abuse People like 'DE4DP00L' make me sick, what a shame someone as brilliantly talented as Ledger had to die so young, and spiteful losers like you are still here ruining his memory.
	GiantNerd0720 - 6/4/2012, 5:25 PM Login to report abuse @Blockbanester And you are just oozing with likable qualities.
	DragonofDarknessXIII - 6/4/2012, 5:29 PM Login to report abuse Ledger did not take his own life, it was an accidental overdose. Get your facts straight.
	RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 6/4/2012, 5:31 PM Login to report abuse Ahh the cynics. Don't hate them, just feel bad for them. Dude had an honest moment on screen, remembering a friend, whom he worked with. Bale's a passionate guy, not the best guy on the planet, but he is very passionate. The two reportedly grew close during filming of The Dark Knight. Here's a fun fact for people though. Did you know that Leonardo Dicaprio's role in Inception was originally going to be Ledgers before he passed away.
	RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 6/4/2012, 5:32 PM Login to report abuse Heath played an intricate part in Nolan's trilogy, so there is nothing wrong with bringing him up. Like I said, it just made Bale emotional.
	8thPassenger - 6/4/2012, 5:35 PM Login to report abuse People who say this isn't genuine clearly know nothing of the kind of man Bale is. Hes not the type to seek attention or play with people like this. The man hates interviews and strongly guards his private life.
	JoeMomma29 - 6/4/2012, 5:36 PM Login to report abuse As typical Grif with PedoBear and Goomba with his penis shape avatar are always hating on anything that has to do with DC. All we need now is Richard Gere's Gerbil errr I mean MarkandJoanna to chime in.
	CaptainObvious - 6/4/2012, 5:38 PM Login to report abuse @itbegins2005, RidiculousFanBoyDemands- You two are some of the smartest people on this site. Thank you for saying that to all the cynical assholes on this site.
	BB - 6/4/2012, 5:39 PM Login to report abuse @smell of duty, WHAT? COME AT ME BRA! BRING IT WITH UR DEAD JOKER, AT LEAST MARVELS ANTAGONISTS STAY ALIVE FOR THE PREMIERE OF THEIR FILMS, LEDGER PROBABLY NEVER EVEN STAYED LONG ENOUGH FOR THE 2nd TRAILER RELEASE! PEOPLE LIKE THAT HAVE NO FRIGGIN RESPECTFOR SOCIETY AND CBMS IN GENERAL!
	DASH1127 - 6/4/2012, 5:41 PM Login to report abuse Nice post bagadoosh. Always good to see another Layne fan. On topic, Bale has certainly burned a lot of bridges but I would like to believe that the moment was genuine.
	RealGothamite - 6/4/2012, 5:41 PM Login to report abuse
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