JimK:  I guess I need to post this just in case you didn’t hear it in the 42 majillion krajillion uptillion places it;s been in the last 24 hours. 

The location: The set of Terminator: Salvation.  The players:

Director of Photography Shane Hurlbut, who was walking around the set during takes (when the actors were, you know, working) checking his lighting rigs.

Actor Christian bale, who was, you know, acting.

Director McG, who seems like a real douche, even though that is not in evidence here.

The audio (needs Flash or download the mp3):

The audio was released by someone at the insurance company for the production…they had it because Bale threatened to walk and they were apparently using it to make sure he didn’t.  Understandable, as he seemed very serious about getting Shane Hurlbut fired.  I doubt he would really have walked, but they were protecting their investment.  Leaking it?  Dick move…but hey, the rule is, if you don’t want it recorded and broadcast on the internet, don’t say it out loud.

That having been said, I think I am the only person on the whole of the Internets that actually backs Bale here.  Acting in these kinds of movies involves long as hell days, physically intense crap for hours and hours on end.  Does he get paid well for it?  Yes.  So what?  Doesn’t mean it’s not frustrating when someone screws up what you’re doing over and over again.  And what DP wanders a set checking light rigs DURING a take? That’s basic, man.  When the cameras are rolling, you sit the fuck down and wait till things are done before you walk back and forth in front of actors.  On top of all of that, Bale is famous for getting pissed at takes that get screwed up by incompetence.

Did he act like a spoiled dick?  Yeah.  A bit.  Should he have yelled for so long or been so nasty?  No.  What he should have done was warn Hurlbut nicely…then one more time not so nicely, then if it happens again?  Walk up to Hurlbut, slap him in the mouth and turn to McG and tell the director to control his fucking DP.

Kind of fun hearing all the cockney mixed with Welsh creep into his voice as he got angry, though. 

*UPDATE*

TMZ has a statement from the Bruce referenced in the audio…producer Bruce Franklin:

Bruce Franklin—assistant director and associate producer on the film—told us “Christian is a method actor and was completely immersed in his scene ... his reaction was from the heat of the moment.”

The target of Bale’s attack—a director of photography named Shane Hurlbut—was not fired from the movie, despite Christian’s threat that if Shane screwed up one more time, he should be kicked to the curb.

Franklin said Bale was under a lot of pressure because of his crazy “Dark Knight” promotion schedule, and that the crew—Hurlbut included—ended up shooting for another seven hours.

So there you have it.  I’m not hatin’ on Batman for this…sorry.  Also, rumor has it that Hurlbut is a total dickhead to the people under him and spent the entire shoot screaming at other people.  So fuck him.

*UPDATE 2*

HOLY AWESOME JESUS H. AWESOMENESS.

I frigging love the internet. Best thing humanity has ever created since the wheel.  Hat tip: Rachel Lucas and Ace.

*UPDATE 3*

SOUNDBOARD!

*UPDATE 4*

Poppa Bear O’Reilly and Bale mashed up.

Beautiful.