Why Is Christian Bale Losing His Hair Over David O. Russell?

Looks like the Dark Knight is a bit down on his luck...or is he? Christian Bale was recently photographed in Boston looking drastically different than the Bale to which we've become accustomed. So why is our latest Batman looking like Tom Cruise in 'Tropic Thunder'?

In a few words -- David O. Russell. Not long ago, Bale was cast in the 'Silver Linings Playbook' director's latest, though still untitled film and production recently went underway in Boston.

Previously referred to as 'American Bulls---,' it's been described as "the famous FBI sting operation that implicated a number of Capitol Hill lawmakers in a scheme exchanging money for political favors in the late 1970s and early ’80s." Bale plays Melvin Weinberg, a conman turned government agent at the center of the scandal, hence the slightly receding hairline, heftier figure, and tragic combover and clothing ensemble.

Russell's pic is currently set for a December release -- yes, this December -- which suggests the director wants to continue his Oscar success into 2014. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper are also reuniting for the film, along with Amy Adams (shown in the set photos below) portraying Bale's co-conspirator and mistress Maxine Gardner.

Check out a couple more set pics below, and stay tuned for more updates as they become available.