Michael Caine On Michael Caine, Christian Bale And Heath Ledger!

Michael Caine And Wife, Shakira Baksh

Sir Michael Caine has spoken out about his recent role as Batman's trusted butler Alfred, Christian Bale's infamous outbursts on set and the stunning portrayal of the Oscar winning Heath Ledger as the Joker.

Caine, whose latest film, "Is Anybody There?" opens on April 17th 2009, stars alongside Christian Bale in the first two of Christopher Nolan's Batman movies. He admits he was very surprised at Bale's behaviour. Bale famously had one of his many outrageous outbursts leaked online last year. An audio tape of him screaming and swearing at Cinematographer Shane Hurlbert on the set of the new Terminator movie, Salvation was released in 2008. "That stunned me, because he's not like that at all. I would never of imagined Christian doing that. It's completely out of character," Caine said.

However, the veteran English actor admitted he was more like Bale than people realised. Caine recalled how he totally lost his cool on the set of The Last Valley over 30 years ago after a horse-riding scene went ever so slightly wrong! "I outdid Christian by about 30 minutes and with more language than he knew."

Of the late Heath Ledger's Academy Award winning Joker performance, Caine, a double Oscar winner himself, admitted "i'm so pleased, i was a big fan of his from the first time i met him and i thought it was very important for his family as well."

Caine hopes to return as Alfred Pennyworth for one more Batman film and the 76 year old actor joked that he hoped he was still alive when director Christopher Nolan got round to making the third film. Michael Goth, who was Caine's predecessor in the role was 84 last time he played the role.

As for the next Batman villian, Caine is hoping to see the Riddler and an actor who can rival Ledger's unbelievable performance as the Joker. "It was a tough job for anyone who played the role after Jack Nicholson, but now Heath is the Joker!"

Click Here To Get Unlimited Access To Over 5 Million Movies

Michael Caine Factfile:-

Born - Maurice Joseph Mickelwhite

D.O.B. - 14th March 1933

Spouse(s) - Patricia Haines - 1955 - 1958, Shakira Baksh - 1973 - present

Nominations & Awards

Oscars
1966 Alfie Best Actor - Won by Paul Scofield – A Man for All Seasons
1972 Sleuth Best Actor - Won by Marlon Brando – The Godfather
1983 Educating Rita Best Actor - Won by Robert Duvall – Tender Mercies
1986 Hannah and Her Sisters Best Supporting Actor
1999 The Cider House Rules Best Supporting Actor
2002 The Quiet American Best Actor - Won by Adrien Brody – The Pianist

BAFTAs

NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleThe Quiet American (2002)

2000
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting RoleThe Cider House Rules (1999)

1999
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleLittle Voice (1998)

1987
NominatedBest ActorHannah and Her Sisters (1986)

1984
WonBest ActorEducating Rita (1983)
Nominated
Best ActorThe Honorary Consul (1983)

1967
NominatedBest British ActorAlfie (1966)

1966
NominatedBest British ActorThe Ipcress File (1965)

BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards

Year Result Category Film 1992

WonExcellence in Film

Bangkok International Film Festival

Year Result Category Film 2003

WonGolden Kinnaree Award Best ActorThe Quiet American (2002)

British Independent Film Awards

Year Result Category Film 1999

NominatedBest ActorLittle Voice (1998)

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

Year Result Category Film 1999

NominatedBest Supporting ActorLittle Voice (1998)

Emmy Awards

Year Result Category Film 1997

NominatedOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a SpecialMandela and de Klerk (1997) (TV)

1994
NominatedOutstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or SpecialWorld War II: When Lions Roared (1994) (TV)

1990
NominatedOutstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a SpecialJekyll & Hyde (1990) (TV)

Empire Awards

Year Result Category Film 2001

NominatedBest British ActorThe Cider House Rules (1999)

2000
-Lifetime Achievement Award

European Film Awards

Year Result Category Film 2001

NominatedBest ActorLast Orders (2001)Shared with: Tom Courtenay David Hemmings Bob Hoskins Ray Winstone

Evening Standard British Film Awards

Year Result Category Film 1999

WonSpecial AwardFor services not only to British film, but also to international cinema.

1975

WonBest ActorSleuth (1972)

Film Society of Lincoln Centre

Year Result Category Film 2004

-Gala Tribute

Golden Globes

Year Result Category Film 2003

NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - DramaThe Quiet American (2002)

2000
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion PictureThe Cider House Rules (1999)

1999
WonBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/MusicalLittle Voice (1998)

1998
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TVMandela and de Klerk (1997) (TV)

1991
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TVJekyll & Hyde (1990) (TV)

1989
WonBest Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TVJack the Ripper (1988) (TV)Tied with Stacy Keach for "Hemingway" (1988) (mini).

Nominated
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/MusicalDirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

1987
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion PictureHannah and Her Sisters (1986)

1984
WonBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy/MusicalEducating Rita (1983)

1973
NominatedBest Motion Picture Actor - DramaSleuth (1972)

1967
NominatedBest Motion Picture Actor - DramaAlfie (1966)
Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy
Gambit (1966)

Golden Satellite Awards
Year Result Category Film 2003
WonBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, DramaThe Quiet American (2002)Tied with Daniel Day-Lewis for Gangs of New York (2002).

2000
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, DramaThe Cider House Rules (1999)

1999
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or MusicalLittle Voice (1998)

1998
NominatedBest Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionMandela and de Klerk (1997) (TV)

Laurel Awards
Year Result Category Film 1967
NominatedMale Star12th place

1966
2nd placeNew Faces, Male
London Critics Circle Film Awards

Year Result Category Film 2003
WonALFS AwardActor of the Year
The Quiet American (2002)

2001
NominatedALFS AwardBritish Supporting Actor of the Year
Quills (2000)

2000
WonALFS AwardBritish Supporting Actor of the Year
Little Voice (1998)

1998
WonDilys Powell Award
National Board of Review

Year Result Category Film 2001
WonBest Ensemble PerformanceLast Orders (2001)Shared with: Bob Hoskins Tom Courtenay David Hemmings Ray Winstone Helen Mirren

1998
-Career Achievement Award

National Society of Film Critics Awards
Year Result Category Film 1967
WonBest ActorAlfie (1966)
San Francisco Film Critics Circle
Year Result Category Film 2002
WonBest ActorThe Quiet American (2002)

San Sebastián International Film Festival
Year Result Category Film 2000
-Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award

1996
WonBest ActorBlood and Wine (1996)

Screen Actors Guild Awards
Year Result Category Film 2000
WonOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting RoleThe Cider House Rules (1999)

Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion PictureThe Cider House Rules (1999)Shared with: Jane Alexander Erykah Badu Kathy Baker Kieran Culkin Delroy Lindo Tobey Maguire Kate Nelligan Paul Rudd Charlize Theron

1999
NominatedOutstanding Performance by a CastLittle Voice (1998)Shared with: Annette Badland Brenda Blethyn Jim Broadbent Jane Horrocks Philip Jackson Ewan McGregor