Christian Bale could escape assault charges with a caution.

"The Dark Knight" actor was arrested last month after allegedly "pushing and shoving" his mother Jenny, 61, and sister Sharon, 41.

The filmmaker insists the actor - who was questioned by police over the alleged assault of his mother and sister - is a "big-hearted, good guy" who is always professional on set.

Speaking at the Comic-Con convention in California, McG showed his support for Bale, saying: "Just for the record, he's a big-hearted, good guy - and I've worked with a lot of people - that's just simply who he is."

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."

Christian Bale has asked for his privacy to be respected following assault allegations against him.

'The Dark Knight' actor - who is accused of "pushing and shoving" his mother Jenny and sister Sharon at his Dorchester Hotel suite in London on Sunday - wants to focus on promoting new movie 'The Dark Knight', rather than discuss his personal life.

"The Dark Knight" actor Christian Bale allegedly "pushed and shoved" his mother after being asked for $200,000 to help raise his sister's three daughters.

A legal source close to the case told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Christian is a very wealthy young man and was asked to help his sister out financially."