First Image of Michael Fassbender as Assassin Released

By Nicole / Apr 23, 2023
First Image of Michael Fassbender as Assassin Released First Image of Michael Fassbender as Assassin Released

We now have our first official look at Michael Fassbender as an assassin in the upcoming film Assassin’s Creed, slated for release on Dec. 21, 2016. The film stems from the popular video game franchise of the same name, published by Ubisoft.

With the image, which is posted below, came the first official plot information about the film. From the little information released, we learn the following:

  • Michael Fassbender will play Callum Lynch, a member of the Assassins.
  • The character Callum Lynch was created just for the film, and the story does not adapt, take place in, or use other major characters from the Assassin’s Creed video games.
  • The film does exist in the same universe as the games.
  • Lynch discovers genetic memories of his ancestor, Aguilar, who lived in Spain during the 15th century.
  • After gaining advanced knowledge and skills from the memory of his ancestor, Lynch takes on the Knights Templar in the present day.

    • First Image of Michael Fassbender as Assassin Released First Image of Michael Fassbender as Assassin Released

    The Assassin’s Creed games focus on the concept of genetic memory, that one could view the past through the eyes of their ancestors. So far, the games have taken us to Jerusalem, Renaissance Italy, Constantinople, Colonial America, the Caribbean, and Paris during the French Revolution. The next installment of the game, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, will take place in Victorian London.

    The games center on a constant conflict between two groups, known as the Assassins and the Knights Templar. Given the brief official synopsis, it remains clear that this conflict will continue in the film. And I doubt the connections with the games will end there. While we know little of the film so far, we should expect a lot of parkour, action, and stealth, as these elements drive the franchise.

    Video game films have bad luck taking off. To date, the only successful video game film was Prince of Persia, with only $90,759,676 in domestic revenue. However, Ubisoft decided to take a more hands-on approach to their film this time, and this also marks the first time a theatrical film is set in the same universe as its corresponding video game franchise. So there’s hope.

    The film stars Michael Fassbender, as well as Marion Cotillard (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises), Michael Kenneth Williams (12 Years a Slave, Gone Baby Gone), and Ariane Label (Before Midnight, The Lobster). Shooting for the film begins next Monday and is set to occur in London, Malta, and Spain.