The Welshman was the first time choice of director Mary Herron for the role of a serial killer in the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel.

But he was pushed out of the frame following reports that DiCaprio was interested in the part.

Now DiCaprio has opted to star in Danny Boyle's new movie The Beach instead - and the American Psycho role has been offered to Bale once again.

Bale will appear in glam-rock movie Velvet Goldmine, which opens on September 25.

Robert De Niro: Taking pay cut for Lenny Bruce documentary

De Niro swears on Lenny Bruce film

Robert De Niro is taking a massive pay cut - to narrate and host a documentary about late comedian Lenny Bruce.

The Cop Land star star has agreed to accept minimum wages for his work on Lenny Bruce: Swear To Tell The Truth, which has been 12 years in the making and includes interviews with Bruce's ex-wife Honey Harlowe, daughter, mother and manager.

Bruce was notorious for his material, dealing with explosive subjects like nuclear testing, racism, religion and drugs.

He was blacklisted and arrested many times for indecency and obscenity, before his death in 1966 from a heroin overdose.

Kevin Costner: Not a hit with Hollywood's women

Kevin Costner's woman problems

Hollywood's leading ladies can't help saying no to Kevin Costner - who's having trouble finding a co-star for his next movie, For The Love of The Game, in which he plays a baseball pitcher.

Meg Ryan has already turned down the part of the fashion photographer who becomes the pitcher's love interest, and Oscar-winner Helen Hunt has also rejected the role.

Natasha Richardson is reportedly considering it, and if she turns it down, pundits predict it will go to Kyra Sedgwick.

Steven Spielberg: no strings attached to sale

Spielberg puppet sold at auction

A puppet replica of Hollywood director Steven Spielberg has sold for more than three times the expected price at a Beverly Hills auction.

The Spielberg puppet was only predicted to fetch �3,000, but went under the hammer for more than �10,000.

The sale of works by puppeteers Sid and Marty Krofft included characters from many of America's favourite TV shows.

Representatives for pop star Michael Jackson were among the bidders, and are said to have bought 15 lots.

ITV go down under for Vanessa's replacement

An Australian presenter is to be the surprise replacement for sacked talk show hostess Vanessa Feltz.

Trisha Goddard, 41, who is already a household name in Australia, takes over the high-profile five-days a week, morning slot on ITV next month.

She will go head-to-head with BBC One's Kilroy, just like Ms Feltz, who was sacked last week by Anglia TV bosses after they became unhappy with her wage demands.