McG Defends Christian Bale's 'Terminator' Rant

May 21, 2009 -- When Christian Bale's now infamous rant while filming "Terminator Salvation" was leaked on the Internet in February, it made headlines. In the four-minute clip, Bale can be heard berating the movie's director of photography.

Now, the movie's director, McG, is coming to the defense of the "Dark Knight" star. "The truth is I like a fiery set .. We were making a war movie ... I wanted that level of intensity and that was a leak of a very small snippet, which was taken out of context. Any of us can be victimized by that," said McG in an interview for ABC News Now's Popcorn With Peter Travers. "As an actor you don't want any trepidation ... Kate Winslet took off her robe for 'Titanic.' I'm sure there were unflattering moments but she had to trust it wouldn't leak on the streets," he added.

Unlike the first three "Terminator" movies, "Salvation," in theaters today, is set in a future post-apocalyptic world where men are warring with machines. Bale is the adult John Connor, who is leading the human resistance. At his side is the cyborg Marcus Wright, part man and part machine and powerfully played by Sam Worthington. McG cast Worthington because he needed someone who could "stand up to Christian in a two shot ... like a heavyweight fight poster ... you don't know who's going to win." Worthington, formerly a bricklayer from western Australia, is also starring in the highly anticipated sci-fi "Avatar," James Cameron's first major movie since "Titanic." Cameron also directed the first two "Terminator" movies.

"I went to see James Cameron before making 'Terminator Salvation' to kiss the ring and ask for permission," recalled McG. "He said I'm not going to give approval. I reserve the right to like or dislike it and so I replied I reserve the right to like or dislike Avatar."

McG also reached out to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the original "Terminator" star, because he wanted "his blessing ... to be respectful and forthcoming." When McG asked Schwarzenegger for permission to use his image in the movie, the governator stipulated he would have to see the movie first. McG created a synthetic character, which with special effects looked exactly like Schwarzenegger's first "Terminator" 25 years ago. Schwarzenegger, according to McG, was "thrilled" and they are both setting up screening fundraisers in Sacramento for underprivileged children.