CHRISTIAN Bale goes from Batman to Baldman as he appears barely recognisable with a shorn head.

The Hollywood star, 43, has piled on the pounds for a new role, and lopped off his trademark bed of thick hair for a cool

crop.

5 Christian Bale piles on the pounds for movie role Credit: Rex Features

The American Hustle actor is preparing for his new role as Dick Cheney in the new film, which was previously called Backseat.

Showing his utmost commitment to the part, he has gone all out to portray him by putting on weight as well as changing his trademark feature - his glossy head of hair.

To complete his transformation, he also sported a clean shaven face - having rid himself of his beard for his new political role.

Christian was promoting his other new film Hostiles at the event, directed by Scott Cooper and co-starring Gone Girl's Rosamund Pike.

5 How Christian used to look with a full head of hair Credit: WireImage - Getty

Christian recently revealed to Variety Studio that he had been "eating a lot of pies" in order to put on weight for his role as the 46th Vice President from 2001-2009.

The drama is centred around Cheney's career as George W. Bush's second in command and his policies which have shaped the world.

The Oscar-winning actor plays the former Vice President alongside Steve Carrell, who joins him as former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and Sam Rockwell as Bush.

Amy Adams, who he has starred opposite before in American Hustle, also appears as Cheney's wife Lynne.

5 Hair today, gone tomorrow. Christian has been versatile with his looks Credit: EPA

Christian's weight has famously yo-yo'd in accordance with his film roles over the years.

In his breakout film American Psycho, he beefed up and gained a six pack for his many topless scenes in the thriller.

Then, in 2004, he lost five stone to play emaciated insomniac Trevor Reznik in The Machinist by barely sleeping and surviving on a diet of coffee and apples.

5 He later piled on the pounds - this time in muscle - to play Batman Credit: Alamy

5 And was completely unrecognisable again in 2000 when taking the lead role in American Psycho Credit: Alamy

Christian Bale breaks from filming Dick Cheney movie to greet fans at LAX in Los Angeles