(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Christian Bale is believed to be ahead of Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen in the race for a part in The Dark Tower movie franchise.

The 36-year-old Hollywood actor picked up the prize for best supporting actor for his part in biographical drama The Fighter at the recent Golden Globe Awards, and he has also been nominated in the same category at the upcoming 2011 Academy Awards.

It appears the British stars career is going from strength-to-strength at the moment, and his success looks set to continue as he is tipped to win the lead role in a big screen adaptation of The Dark Tower series of books.

Sources have told the New York Post that Christian has pulled ahead of the other A-list actors Javier Bardem and Viggo Mortensen linked to the project.

The role they are vying for is Roland Deschain, a man descended from a long line of gunslingers, peacekeepers and diplomats. Roland appears in the iconic The Dark Tower series of books written by revered American author Stephen King.

Due to the immense popularity of the books, the movie is expected to be a blockbuster. (C) Cover Media