Johnny Depp has been voted the sexiest man in the world. The 45-year-old Hollywood heartthrob topped a poll by readers of Britain's Cosmopolitan magazine to find their favorite hunk.

Depp beat George Clooney, 47, into second place, while "Brokeback Mountain" star Jake Gyllenhaal, 27, finished third.

Johnny Depp says playing The Riddler in a new Batman movie would be a "fun gig". The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star admits starring alongside Christian Bale in the third movie in Christopher Nolan's film franchise is an exciting prospect.

When asked about the rumors, Johnny replied: "I heard about that. It seems like it'd be a fun gig for a while, yeah."

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.