Christian Bale didn't take Batman seriously until he read Batman Year One. The 'Dark Knight' star says Frank Miller's graphic novel - which was used as a starting point for director Chris Nolan when he revived the Batman film franchise in 2005 - first got him interested in the role.

Bale - who last week was arrested and released on bail for allegedly assaulting his mother and sister - said: "My inspiration was clearly Chris Nolan's ideas but also Frank Miller's graphic novel Batman Year One and what he started with that - it was a far darker, more serious take, a more conflicted character that he had. That was the first time I had viewed it as something being worth portraying."