Sources claim Bale went back and forth about taking the job, but ultimately decided to punt. There’s no word on how or if this will affect remaining casting. Seth Rogen is in talks to play Steve Wozniak, and tough it’s all but a done deal, it’s still not a done deal. No contract has been signed there, either.
Bale’s backing out is the second high-profile actor to leave the role before starting work. Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the gig ahead of Bale, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from accepting.
Sorkin is still writing, and Danny Boyle is still directing, but there seems to be a lack of big names willing to step into the role at this point. Boyle directed Bale in two of his better performances in 28 Days Later and Trainspotting, so the duo are familiar with one another. Bale was also the only actor who could have been convincingly gaunt enough to play Jobs when he fell ill later in life, as was evident of his role in The Machinist.
