Dark Knight Rises' Christian Bale Brightens Up Around His Wife Sibi Blazic

USMagazine, Thursday, July 19, 2012, 4:45am (PDT)

The Dark Knight has found his light!

Christiane Bale is known for his intense performances, but the Dark Knight Rises star brightens up around his wife of 12 years, former model Sibi Blazic, 42.

PHOTOS: Stars and their soulmates

"She is his comfort and his rock," a source tells Us Weekly. And the "very passionate" Brit, 38, loves unwinding with Blazic, whom he married on Jan. 29, 2000, and daughter Emmeline, 7. 

Adds the source, "He almost always plans a family trip."

PHOTOS: Dads on duty

And playing the role of dad is something Bale cherishes the most. In the June/July issue of GQ Australia, he explained, "Think about how strange and unfortunate it would be for my daughter if I couldn't just be a dad. You shouldn't make your children suffer because of choices you make . . . I get no greater joy than when I'm looking at my daughter and her friends when they're laughing their asses off. Movies are great but when I look back, it's the time with my family I'm going to remember. That's the source of character."

PHOTOS: Shirtless dads!

He is, however, very thankful for having had the opportunity to play Batman. "I have been deeply honored to inhabit this character. It was a massive undertaking. Physically, emotionally, every way. But suddenly we were in the final throes. I sat down and asked for a little space. I stared at the cowl for a good long moment and thought, 'Man, this one really took on a life of its own.'"

But Bale told The Telegraph that now that he's wrapped up a character he's portrayed for almost a decade, he plans to stay away from big blockbusters. I want to make some small movies now," he said. "I'm looking at very different kinds of movies."

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Dark Knight Rises' Christian Bale Brightens Up Around His Wife Sibi Blazic