Bale tantrum becomes web phenomenon

Christian Bale's apparent temper tantrum on the set of Terminator Salvation has become an internet phenomenon, reports Slash Film.

Audio of the British actor allegedly ranting at director of photography Shane Hurlbut for interrupting a key scene in the film was leaked online earlier this week.

In the four-minute verbal attack, Bale reportedly yells at Hurlbut: "I want you off the set! You p***k!... No, don't just be sorry! Think for one f**king second! What the f**k are you doing? Are you professional or not?"

The tape ends with Bale telling the crew member: "Seriously, man, you and me, we're f**king done professionally."

Website Despair.com has now released a T-shirt bearing the words 'Christian Bale And I Are Done Professionally', described as "the official tee for those who shan't be working together with him again".

Inspired by the audio, US punk band The Mae Shi recorded a song based around the on-set clash less than 24 hours after it surfaced online. The track, titled 'R U Professional', features the lyrics "Don't look too deep in his eyes/he can't hide what's inside of his mind/and it might get a little bit ugly/and you might meet an American Psycho".

UGO.com, meanwhile, has created a Bale Soundboard, splitting up the audio to allow users to replay phrases from the tirade.