(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Christian Bale has revealed his upcoming stint as Batman will be his last.

The actor has played the coveted role of the black-suit-wearing superhero and his alter ego Bruce Wayne in the first two films in the franchise Batman Begins in 2005 and its 2008 sequel The Dark Knight. He will also star in the up-coming third instalment of the series The Dark Knight Rises, tipped to be out in 2012.

All three films are directed by Christopher Nolan, but the director has suggested the next film will be Batmans last.

But instead of saddening 36-year-old Christian, he is looking forward to being involved in the best Batman production yet.

"The thing is that this will be, I believe, unless Chris says different, this will be the last time I'm playing Batman," he told E! Online.

"[Im] very excited, because if Chris maintains, this will be the last one," Christian added separately. "We've got to up it."

While he plays the leading character in the film, Christian doesnt actually know many details about it.

Instead the star waits to hear information about his role and the plot from the director on a need-to-know basis, because there are so many rumours constantly flying around about the much-anticipated movie.

"Until Chris tells me, I don't believe it," Christian said. "It's gotta be from his mouth, or else I don't really know." (C) Cover Media