Christian Bale Describes the Atmosphere on the Set of “The New World:” “I would say that this was the least intense movie that I've ever worked on, and I mean that by Terry's charisma and character. The great thing with him is that you recognize that instead of just going for one thing, you recognized everything that was going on around you. He was so enjoyable to be around, and curious to be around, that there wasn't that kind of tension that can obviously be great, but can sometimes lead to a slight paranoia and a slight panic. And also you can get blinded to wonderful things that might be happening over here because you're so much focused on one particular thing.
I think that Terry manages to focus and appreciate everything that's going on. So actually I think that it wasn't intense. It's the first time that I've realized that this can actually be a wonderful thing. I've always had that kind of belief of like, 'Yeah, you're working. Focus. Really focus. Really get this right. You have one opportunity.' With Terry it wasn't like that at all. It was like, 'Hey. What do you want to do? Try it. It's no big deal. It's just film. Let’s see what happens.' That's when you get some really interesting work.”
Christian Bale on Preparing for “The New World:” “The nicest thing that Terry brought out of me was just having the confidence that he did in me. I always prepare greatly before any movie, and he was really appreciative of that as well, because I was able to tell him little bits of information that we ended up including in certain scenes. There were nice little character traits and ideas that I had about him.
I certainly don't like turning up absolutely cold, but being able to have that relaxation, being able to say, 'You know what? Don't worry about it. You're in really good hands here.' It's that. When you have a director that you truly trust and truly think that they're a brilliant filmmaker - and I do think that about Terry. He's just one of the finest around so you really can just kind of lay back and go, 'Okay, you know what? There are no worries here.' If I can recreate that kind of working environment on another movie, I think that we could get some really great stuff from all the actors. If every director could be like Terry, I think that we would see the bar really being raised across the board.”
Christian Bale on “The New World” Star Colin Farrell: “Colin and I really didn't cross paths too much. I literally saw him twice. We don't have any scenes together. We literally just crossed paths, and I had a few nice conversations with him. He's a good guy. As to what he's going through now I haven't spoken with him in more than a year, but I wish him all the best.”
Christian Bale on Working Opposite a 14 Year-Old Unknown: “I think that it was rather hard of a journey for them to find the right person to play Pocahontas because the reality of it was, I believe, that she was more like 12 years-old at the time. Relationships during that time of that nature weren't frowned upon like they are now. They're incredibly frowned upon.
I had already agreed that I wanted to play Rolfe and with Q'Orianka [Kilcher], they found someone who had equal parts the youth and exuberance of that, but also the ability to play the pain and the maturity that was required. I love working with unknowns, I really do, and obviously it's a crap shoot but every movie is anyway. But I very much like that because you can absolutely believe in them and believe in the character.
I trusted that the people caring for her, her parents, were around all the time. Terry included, who is a very maternal man and very considerate that there wouldn't be any situations that wouldn't be inappropriate and I don't believe that there were. I was very surprised as well at just how remarkable Q'Orianka was at being able to adapt to this character. I think that she was also very spoiled frankly, as we all were, but especially since this was her first experience, at working with Terry. It's not something that I think she'll find that she'll be able to repeat too often, myself included in that. I don't think that I'll be able to find this experience again.”
Bale continued to lavish praise on his “The New World” director. “He takes as much time and is so appreciative of actors, and so curious as well. So in tune with what is comfortable for each and every person and only wanting to go with that and not wanting to push anything.”
