Rumors have begun circulating like a well-oiled engine amidst the announcement of the long waited Batman vs. Superman movie, including countless actors who have been speculated or fan favorites to wear the cape and cowl.

But the one that rocked the Batman/Superman fandom the most is the reported $50 million offered to The Dark Knight Trilogy actor Christian Bale to reprise his role as Batman and co-star opposite Henry Cavill’s Superman.

It can be remembered that the 39-year old English method actor has declined many times and closed the doors of any chance of him returning as the Dark Knight.

But is this rumor legitimate?

Unfortunately, Bale’s fans might have to put this speculation to the grave, as it might be a mistranslation of Vince Russel’s eBook “Beyond Batman: The Unauthorized True Story of Christian Bale and His Dark Knight Dilemma” which quotes the following:

“He could probably make $50 million for being in the movie 20 minutes,” my friend observed. “And it would be worth every penny to the studio.”

So there. Basically the $50 million figure was directly lifted from a book that does not even categorically confirmed that that money was actually offered to Bale.

This only reflects fan’s lingering admiration and “hangover” to Bale’s take on the Caped Crusader, despite the flaws critics are throwing to him (that husky, grumbling, it-might-be-throat-cancer voice). For now, we just have to endure a few more ridiculous, unconfirmed rumors as which actor will take the mantle of the Batman.