Batman Begins star Christian Bale was set to play U.S. president George W. Bush in Oliver Stone's W-- but dropped out at the last minute. The film is a satirical look at the outgoing U.S. leader's career, and director Stone has revealed that he was ready to start shooting with Bale in the title role.

But the moviemaker was forced to change his plans after the British actor pulled out of the project-- leaving him to find a new leading man in Josh Brolin.

Stone says, "We did some rigorous prosthetics tests and spent a lot of dough-- thousands of dollars-- and then Christian said, 'I just don't feel like I can do it.' I needed a star... and Josh Brolin was not a star. I met Josh and liked him. He was more rural Americana. But man, he was scared."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)