Christian Bale felt frustrated about making sequels like Shaft, but his aversion to sequels didn't stop him from making the Dark Knight trilogy
Batman Begins: Christian Bale + Christopher Nolan Interview with Charlie Rose (2005)
Christian Bale is not a big fan of acting in sequels or franchises or ensembles. He revealed that he wanted to be a part of very varied films and play a variety of roles. His stance on acting in the same role again makes it a miracle how Christopher Nolan convinced him to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy.
Bale has only acted in three sequel or franchise roles in his career. He had openly expressed his problems with starring in the 2000 sequel to Shaft. His experience with Terminator Salvation and Thor: Love and Thunder was no better, as both films failed to impress the masses.
Christian Bale is not your typical Hollywood star who craves big bucks for franchise roles. Bale is happy with his varied film roles from his critically acclaimed role in American Psycho. He never returned for the sequel to that film because he wasn't big on sequel roles.
