With a slice of commercial success in his locker and a new allegiance of self-proclaimed “Baleheads” following his every move, it was time for Hollywood to take a gamble on one of the industry’s rising stars… cue dragons, pyrotechnics and a heavily-bearded Bale to save the day.

The pressure was on for him to lead a big-budget film for the first time, and while his leather clad grunge-pirate hero showed promise, the film didn’t and flopped, leaving Bale’s reputation as a Hollywood leading man slightly scorched in the process.