Live action adaptations of video games are notoriously difficult to pull off. Will ASSASSIN'S CREED break the curse? That question gets answered by audiences this holiday season, when 20th Century Fox, Ubisoft and director Justin Kurzel bring it to life on the big screen. Starring Michael Fassbender as Cal, a criminal who is abducted by a mysterious organization run by a feuding father and daughter (Jeremy Irons and Marion Cotillard), the film attempts to pull off the tricky duel timelines of the game: The modern day one and the 15th century one Cal ventures to in order to see through the eyes of his ancestor, a valiant member of an order of Assassins.
Recently I had the opportunity to talk all things CREED with the key cast members and director. Watch below!
For Fassbender, ASSASSIN'S CREED has been a passion project for a long time. He's been attached to the project as actor and producer since summer 2012, so to finally see it attain "finished project" status must no doubt be a treat. In the following interview, Fassbender talks about what made ASSASSIN'S such an intriguing proposition, his involvement in the development process, satisfying the gamers as well as newcomers to the franchise, and what he sees coming up for the film series.
ASSASSIN'S CREED is Marion Cotillard's second film with both Michael Fassbender and Justin Kurzel after the epic MACBETH, so the actress we quite familiar with the two men. What she wasn't necessarily familiar with was the video game upon which the movie is based. Luckily, she had an inside source to help her out. We talk about that, her approach to a "video game movie," and whether or not she'd like to do some asskicking in the next one!
Jeremy Irons can play an intimidating presence with the best of them – in real life too! I say with no compunction that it's meeting screen legends like Mr. Irons is just as formidable of an experience as you might guess. Thankfully, the man is a very amusing and engaging sort. Just watch him react to my question about playing the ASSASSIN'S CREED game! (Yeah, don't ask him that.) We also cover what his relationship was like with screen daughter Cotillard and portraying a character of dubious morality.
Filmmaker Justin Kurzel must have known he'd have his work cut out for him when he jumped aboard ASSASSIN'S CREED. After all, this $100 million movie is only his third feature. But in listening to him speak, you'll find confidence or a specific vision is not something he lacks. Here we talk making the film look like the game, the trickiest sequence to film and filming those amazing stunts.