Despite his decision to drop out of Michael Mann’s Enzo Ferrari biopic over concerns with health issues, Christian Bale remains one of the most dedicated method actors in Hollywood. He lost 63 pounds for his role in The Machinist only to bulk up a year later for Batman Begins. For his latest role in Adam McKay’s The Big Short, Bale actually learned how to play drums, and he did so by listening to Pantera and Mastodon.

In the movie, Bale’s character, Mike Burry, unwinds by playing double kick-drum along to Pantera’s “By Demons Be Driven”. As Bale told Screenrant (via Blabbermouth), he picked up the skills after an intense two-week crash course during which he worked with a drum instructor and listened to nothing but Pantera and Mastodon.



Bale also revealed that he had tore his knee prior to the film’s production. Director Adam McKay suggested getting a body double for the drum scene, but Bale told him, “No, no. It’s gonna be all right. Let me just do it.”

Watch Bale discuss learning how to play drums with Screenrant: