Director Oliver Stone has revealed that he originally cast Batman star Christian Bale in the role of George W. Bush in the upcoming biopic W.

Speaking to GQ, the PLATOON director commented:

"I needed a star," Stone said, "and Josh Brolin was not a star. Originally I went for Christian Bale. We did some rigorous prosthetic tests and spent a lot of dough - thousands and thousands of dollars - and then Christian said, 'I just don't feel like I can do it.'

"I met Josh and liked him. He was more rural Americana. But man, he was scared s**tless."

W is released later this year.