Christian Bale Injures Knee, Production on New Film Delayed

LOS ANGELES - Production on the Travis McGee film “The Deep Blue Good-by” has been delayed after Christian Bale reportedly injured his knee in an accident at home, Variety is reporting.

The film was scheduled to begin pruduction this summer when Bale tore his anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. The injury may take months to heal, experts say. Fox says they plan to halt production until Bale has recovered. It's unclear how the injury occurred.

The news may impact James Mangold’s plans shoot the next installment of Fox’s “Wolverine” franchise starring Hugh Jackman, which he was expected to begin shooting after “The Deep Blue Good-by.” Mangold will now focus on shooting “Wolverine 3″ he told the publication.

“The Deep Blue Good-by” is the first of 21 books that follows the exploits of Travis McGee (Bale), a self-described “salvage consultant” who recovers other people's property for a fee while getting into trouble battling bad guys and romancing women.