Something that has become more commonplace in our expansive world of comic book movies is seeing older DC and Marvel actors appear in future films from either the DCEU or the MCU. Actors like William Dafoe, best known for Green Goblin in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies, appeared in Aquaman while Michael Keaton, best known for playing Batman in the Tim Burton films, appeared in Spider-Man Far From Home as Vulture. Now rumor has it that Marvel is getting another actor who was at one point the Caped Crusader to appear in a Phase 4 movie. Christian Bale of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is in talks to play a role in the forth Thor film, Thor: Love and Thunder.

The film will, of course, have Chris Hemsworth returning as Thor alongside Natalie Portman, reappearing in the Thor films for the first time since 2013’s Thor: The Dark World. Taika Waititi is also set to return as director after his success with Thor Ragnarok. No word of what Bale’s role could be has been confirmed, though it’s rumored that he could play as Thor’s uncle Cul- otherwise known as the God of Fear- as a possible antagonist. Another theory is that Bale could play Beta Ray Bill, another character from Thor comics that fans have wished to see appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Regardless of who Bale might play, it’s very exciting to see him be a part of a comic book film again since 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. Fans are very excited to see the Dark Knight potentially interact with the God of Thunder (or Goddess in Portman’s case) if all the cards are played right.

Thor: Love and Thunder is set for release November 5th 2021.