Bale for 'Creed of Violence'?

Christian Bale is set to star in western movie The Creed of Violence.

The Dark Knight Rises star is in negotiations to play small-time assassin Rawbone, who works with young Bureau of Investigation agent John Lourdes in an attempt to infiltrate the Mexican criminal underground in 1910, in a journey which sees them come across professional killers, thieves and smugglers.

The Universal movie will be directed by Golden Globe-winning director Todd Field and adapted from Boston Teran's novel of the same name.

Speaking about the novel, Field — who will also pen the screenplay — explained: "The hallucinogenic epic that Rawbone traverses with the young John Lourdes produces one of the most exciting literary pairings since Fagin met Twist.

"Rawbone is a raconteur straddling the old west and belle epoque... braided with wit, cold-blooded efficiency and a surprisingly expansive soul."

Michael De Luca (The Social Network) will produce the movie, and it is expected to start shooting in the American southwest and parts of Mexico in early 2013.

Bale is no stranger to starring in westerns after taking on the role of Dan Evans, a one-legged veteran turned rancher, in the remake of 1957 movie 3:10 to Yuma in 2007 alongside fellow Academy Award winner Russell Crowe.