Oscar-winner Christian Bale has defended the controversial casting decisions made for Ridley Scott's new epic Exodus: Gods and Kings. The movie has been criticized for its near all-white casting, though Bale says he's already looking forward to the next Moses movie to hit the big screen. 

Exodus Gods and KingsChristian Bale takes the lead in Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings

"It would absolutely be a wonderful day of celebration if, within a few decades, we have another Moses and he's a North African or Middle Eastern actor - what a wonderful thing," he told The Hollywood Reporter at the film's New York premiere.

More: Ridley Scott, "I can't cast Mohammed so-and-so"

Scott had raised eyebrows by musing: "I can't mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebates in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such," however, Bale has defended his director.

"Ridley [Scott] is absolutely honest and blunt to a fault, and I think that people, rather than pointing fingers, should ask themselves, are they being supportive of North African and Middle Eastern filmmakers and actors?" he said, "The change will come from independent filmmaking, but audiences have to be there. Because once that happens, financiers of bigger and bigger budget films will say, 'We can actually do business here.'"

Joel EdgertonJoel Edgerton has had his say on the controversial casting choices in Exodus: Gods and Kings

Still, it's white stars acknowledged the debate at the movie's Brooklyn Museum screening on Sunday night (December 7, 2014).

"These types of criticisms are valid, that's a discussion that's not without its merits," said Ben Mendolsohn, though John Turturro shrugged, "If the movie works, it works." Joel Edgerton said, "Ironically, I think in a way, it actually draws more attention to the movie and probably makes more people want to check it out!"

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Edgerton's comments appear to be on the ball given Exodus: Gods and Kings took $23 million in its first 10 foreign markets over the weekend. 

Watch the trailer for Exodus: Gods and Kings: