Christian Bale turns down ‘Noah’

Los Angeles: ‘The Dark Knight’ star Christian Bale has pulled out of Darren Aronofsky`s Biblical epic ‘Noah’.

Michael Fassbender is the first choice to take over the role following Bale`s exit. The 37-year-old actor was set to take on the titular character in the forthcoming Biblical epic, about a man who is told by God to build an ark and save all the world`s animals from a huge flood. But due to his busy schedule, with films `Lawless` and `Knight of Cups` coming up, he has decided he can no longer commit, reported Ace Showbiz. Now Fassbender is said to be in contention for the part after a meeting with `Black Swan` director Aronofsky. However, he too has a busy schedule, although he only officially has Steve McQueen`s `12 Years A Slave` on his radar, he will also reprise the role of Magneto in an `X-Men: First Class` sequel, and no offer has yet been confirmed. `Noah`, which would be Aronofsky`s first significant project since `Black Swan`, is set to go into production in spring 2012. PTI