Christian Bale inspired by Manic Street Preachers for monster role

Best known for his roles in American Psycho and Batman, fans of Christian Bale might be surprised to see him wearing his dancing shoes in his latest film.

Speaking to the NME, the actor said he "loves to dance but isn't much of a dancer", and drew inspiration from bands like Manic Street Preachers for his role as Frankenstein's monster.

Bale, who was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, stars as the iconic character in gothic romance film The Bride!, with Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley playing the titular character.

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal asked him to send her "tunes, tunes, tunes all the time" of music and artists that inspired his performance.

The Oscar-winner has revealed that he listened to a lot of "straight up punk stuff" to prepare for his 54th movie, with Manic's Richey Edwards and The Sex Pistols among his fashion inspiration.

He said: "An early inspiration was Sid Vicious in the white jacket, walking down the steps and singing 'My Way'.

"Edwards from the Manic Street Preachers cutting '4 Real' into his arm [in front of a journalist] was another."

Richey Edwards, from Blackwood, disappeared on 1 February 1995. His car was found abandoned near the old Severn Bridge, but he has not been seen since. Richey was declared legally dead in 2008.

Some other songs he sent to the director included tracks from rock bands the Osees, The Pogues and Spaceman 3.

Despite his career as a movie star, Bale called music the "the most essential art form" in his life.

He admitted he has not met any of the rockstars that inspire him.

"I don't want to and I don't need to," he said.

"It's their art I'm interested in. I know that I'm a complete disappointment for anyone to meet because the best of me is in [the] film."

Described as a "match made in mayhem" by the Financial Times, Bale and Buckley play Frankenstein's monster and his bride in the Warner Bros movie released on 6 March.

Buckley is one of the favourites to win Best Actress at this year's Academy Awards, following critical acclaim for her performance as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet.

The Irish actress joked that her co-star, who won his own Oscar in 2010, has said "nothing" to help her with a speech.

"I winged mine and got no advice whatsoever," Bale told People.com.

"Any advice I give to anybody should go in one ear and out the other very quickly."