Movies

Christian Bale Brilliantly Sews Himself into Frankenstein in First Set Photos

Christian Bale Brilliantly Sews Himself into Frankenstein in First Set Photos
Image credit: Legion-Media, mgyllenhaal (Instagram), Paramount Classics, Lionsgate

The actor’s transformations went too far…and we’re curious to see it.

Summary:

  • Christian Bale will star in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s take on Mary Shelley's classics titled The Bride, in which the actor’s Frankenstein will search for love.
  • The first look of Bale’s monster has been shared by the director, and it features quite a modern vision of this character, which can evoke criticism.

Notorious for playing drastically diverse characters, Christian Bale always amazes the audience by how he shapeshifts for every bright role he takes. We’ve already seen his Patrick Bateman in American Psycho and Batman in Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, but now it’s time for another surprising role, and we weren’t ready for such a realistic look.

The first photo of Bale’s embodiment of one of the most famous sci-fi horror heroes, the monster creature Frankenstein, has been just dropped by Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The actress and the filmmaker is the head of the new project, titled The Bride, which is inspired by James Whale's 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, itself adapted from Mary Shelley's cultish novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus (1818).

Upon seeing the actor being suited up as the monster, Reddit burst out with jokes about his literal sewing his face for playing the monster.

They are related to Bale’s famous metamorphosis for the roles, as his abilities to change his appearances and forms are well-recognized.

“Still healthier than his preparation for The Machinist,” admits Redditor @KneeHighMischief, recalling his loss of more than 62 pounds for that role.

Christian Bale Brilliantly Sews Himself into Frankenstein in First Set Photos - image 1
The Machinist (2004)

Nevertheless, Bale’s appearance for the role of Frankenstein also received some critical remarks, blaming mostly the presence of tattoos and his clothes, not really suitable for the beginning of the 20th century, in which the movie is presumably set.

That’s why the actor’s new character was compared to the one of Bill Skarsgård in The Crow and even got called “a Minnesotan Leto Joker ”, as jokingly voiced by @ImprobableAvocado.

Christian Bale Brilliantly Sews Himself into Frankenstein in First Set Photos - image 2
The Crow (2024)

Indeed, it was revealed that The Bride will take place in the 1930s and feature a lonely monster who seeks a companion for himself and creates the one with the help of a doctor. Thus, the Bride is born, but things get way out of control, and then the police and society’s attention is drawn to the romance of the two horrifying creatures.

The movie will also assemble Jessie Buckley as the Bride and the acclaimed Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard and Annette Bening. This all-star cast promises us a spectacular Frankenstein roller coaster, which is scheduled to be released on October 2, 2025.