Christian Bale and Johnny Depp Maintained Distance While Filming Public Enemies
In the world of filmmaking, creating a palpable tension or unpredictability among cast members can sometimes necessitate separation. Director Andy Muschietti adopted this technique while working with young actors on It, fostering real fear during their encounters with the sinister Pennywise. The strategy isn’t uncommon; actors often immerse themselves in their roles by remaining in character throughout production. A prime example is Daniel Day-Lewis, who famously remained so committed to his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln that he communicated with co-star Sally Field via text while still in character.
Christian Bale is no stranger to such intense preparation. Known for his transformative roles, Bale took extreme measures for the thriller The Machinist, shedding an astonishing 62 pounds to authentically portray his character’s malnourished appearance. While working on Michael Mann’s crime drama Public Enemies, Bale decided to keep a distance from his co-star, Johnny Depp, who portrayed notorious gangster John Dillinger.
Bale aimed to ensure that when Purvis, the federal agent he portrayed, finally met Dillinger on-screen, their encounter would feel fresh and unpredictable. The strategy worked seamlessly with the narrative structure of the film, as Purvis and Dillinger only share a scene towards the end, after the latter has been gravely injured. Bale revealed in a 2009 interview that he preferred to remain silent with Depp, stating, “I didn’t want to talk unless it was while we were doing a scene. I enjoy it that way.”
This method resulted in minimal interaction between the two actors during the shoot, and thankfully for both Bale and Mann, Depp was on board with this approach. Bale even quipped that he would have to “wait and get to know Johnny Depp some other day.”
Despite mixed reviews regarding Public Enemies, particularly concerning Mann’s decision to employ digital filming techniques that affected the movie’s visual quality, both Bale and Depp delivered remarkable performances in their respective roles. As of now, it seems their paths have not crossed again on screen, leaving the question of whether they remain strangers unanswered.
