Christian Bale is still trying to explain that obscene four-minute tirade against the director of photography on Terminator: Salvation that was released this February. Bale went on Good Morning America yesterday to promote the film, and ended up getting several questions about the leaked audio where he is heard screaming at this crew member. Bale defended himself on Good Morning America by saying it was the character of John Connor who had the anger problem. Ah, yes. That’s a good one. Blame it on the character.

Of course, Bale actually does take “full responsibility” for the incident, while carefully avoiding questions about whether he seriously does have larger anger management issues. Recently, Bale gave an interview where he took also “full responsibility”, yet managed to give some of the blame to whoever released the audio of the rant, saying it was a breach of creative trust. And now he gets to pull out the “privacy” card when asked about that incident where he, his mother and his sister got into some physical/verbal altercation. It doesn’t seem like full responsibility to me, but what do I know?

Christian Bale’s having a tough time shaking his hot-headed reputation after infamously berating a film crew member last summer.

On “Good Morning America” Monday to promote his new film “Terminator Salvation,” out this Thursday, Bale was asked whether he has an anger management problem.

“Well, certainly John Connor has an anger problem, ” Bale demurred, referring to his “Terminator” alter ego.

Bale’s four-minute, profanity-laced tirade against director of photography Shane Hurlbut on the set of the film was leaked onto the Internet earlier this year, where it became the star of musical remixes and parodies. Bale issued a public apology on LA’s KROQ radio station in February.

“The whole incident was something which absolutely I regret, but we were resolved within 30 seconds on the film set,” Bale said on “GMA,” calling the blowup “unfortunate” and “inexcusable.”

“I take full responsibility for it. Absolutely.”

Bale was also pressed about anger issues in his personal life. The actor was arrested last July in London after a heated argument with his mother and sister. He was released on bail and never charged.

“I maintain incredible privacy. I do believe it’s, you know, nothing but a family affair,” Bale said. “And obviously, I assume, we all understand things like that happen, and I don’t desire to go into more explanation because I think as an actor, I like just to act and have people believe the characters. So I appreciate people respecting my privacy on those issues.”

[From The New York Daily News]

I don’t doubt that Bale really is sorry for his verbal attack on Shane Hurlbut. I just think he’s equally sorry the tape saw the light of day. Bale’s a great actor, and he has a knack for playing characters that burn with intensity. Maybe it’s not so much the parts he’s offered, but the violent characters he’s drawn to. So, did Bale learn his lesson after this ordeal? Maybe, maybe not. My guess is that it will depend on how well Terminator: Salvation does at the box office. Hollywood has a habit of looking the other way when a guy’s an a–hole, but only if that a–hole makes them money.

Here’s Christian Bale with his wife Sibi Blazic at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Terminator Salvation’ held at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on May 14th. Images thanks to WENN.com .