Witch
2004–2005
English science fiction series are always a kind of mockery of the genre, and sometimes of the actors too. Michael Fassbender plays Azazel himself, a fallen angel who has been living on earth for more than 500 years. It turned out this way because once upon a time a witch called him from hell for the sake of power over the world, but in the end it did not work out to arrange an apocalypse. And, stuck in our world, Azazel is forced to do all sorts of more mundane things. Messing with young witches, for example. A ridiculous story in every way.
Michael was born on April 2, 1977 in Germany, but three years later the Fassbenders moved to their mother’s homeland in Ireland. In Killarney, his German father opened a restaurant, where Michael and his sister worked since childhood. The boy loved music, but learning to play the violin was expensive, so the unspoiled Michael mastered playing the guitar and accordion. “My sister and I realized early on that the world is ruled not by justice, but by luck. And only difficulties help shape character,” recalls the actor. Years of hard work and one stroke of luck really helped him rise to the Hollywood Olympus. However, until the age of 17, Michael did not even think about acting, but wanted to play heavy metal. “One day a former classmate put on a play at my college, I joined and suddenly realized that this is what I want to do!” - recalls Fassbender. At the age of 19 he went to London, where he entered drama school. Working as a bartender and a dishwasher, he periodically acted on television. He got his first serious job at the age of 24, playing a sergeant in the popular mini-series Band of Brothers. Until the age of 30, Michael languished in the abyss of obscurity, from which director Steve McQueen pulled him out by offering an unknown actor the leading role in the drama “Hunger” (2008). The director soon realized that he had picked up a real pearl from the bottom of the ocean. Fassbender brilliantly embodied the image of a political prisoner who starved himself to death while protesting against the British authorities. Michael has received many awards. For the film world, the actor seemed to jump out of nowhere. The directors were surprised how they could not notice this charming man with remarkable dramatic talent. He began to receive calls from the greatest directors of our time. In 2009, he played Lieutenant Hickox in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and a weak-willed red tape in the drama Fish Tank. Then Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre (2011), the iconic role of Magneto in X-Men: First Class (2011) and psychoanalyst Carl Jung in the drama A Dangerous Method (2011) by David Cronenberg. Fassbender travels to festivals, basking in the rays of love. However, he doesn’t care about fame: “I had to work a lot, like in the fairy tale about Cinderella - she humps for many years, but no one notices her efforts... And then the royal ball comes... They send you a suit to a luxurious penthouse... and where were they all, when you didn't have money for a bus ticket?
Fassi, as he is affectionately called by millions of fans, gained even greater triumph and admiration from critics after the same McQueen starred him in the drama “Shame” (2011). Michael plays a sexually hungry man who passionately masturbates and drives prostitutes into a frenzy, but is afraid of emotional intimacy with women. The film became a “scandal” at the Venice Film Festival, but also a real breakthrough in the career of Michael, who was awarded the prestigious Volpi Cup for his brilliant work. Courageous, noble, with incredible charisma, possessing a stunning figure and dramatic talent, Michael Fassbender is equally enjoyable both in blockbusters and in independent arthouse projects. He gained the love of both the mass public and high-brow intellectuals. “He’s probably one of the best three or four actors in general,” Ridley Scott said about him and starred him in the role of the android David in the film “Prometheus” (2012) and the film “The Counselor” (2013). And Steve McQueen again films “his discovery” in the film “Twelve Years a Slave,” where Fassie plays opposite Brad Pitt.
Inglourious Basterds
2009
Alfred Hickox is a lieutenant film critic who was sent to occupied France to participate in a special operation to destroy Hitler. Although Fassbender's character was only a cameo, he became the main character in the film's most spectacular shootout. At the same time, the gatherings at the table in the tavern, where his hero was supposed to be given secret information, failed because of himself. First, Hickox yelled at a drunken German private, which attracted the attention of the counterintelligence officer, and then he finally betrayed everyone, failing to correctly show the number three on his fingers. As a result, before catching a bullet, he shot off the enemy’s balls and even managed to finish his whiskey - in general, not such an inglorious death.
Knockout
2011
Another film where Fassbender had a blast. However, not only him, but also Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum and even Antonio Banderas. Especially for this, Steven Soderbergh invited athlete Gina Carano to play the main role. Despite the peculiar feminism, the plot is classic: the heroine, working as a secret special agent, realizes that she was brutally set up, and begins to take revenge on those who treated her this way. It must be said that Fassbender, unlike other traitors, tried to be polite for some time, but this still did not save him from a bullet in the forehead.
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender. Actor. Born April 2, 1977 in Heidelberg, Germany.
Actor Michael Fassbender 50939
Michael Fassbender's career
Michael Fassbender studied acting in London, at the Drama Center London theater school, which, according to some sources, he successfully graduated from, and according to others (the actor himself talks about this interview) he left shortly before his graduation performance.
Fassbender's first notable role was Sergeant Burton Christenson in the miniseries Band of Brothers.
Sergeant Burton Christenson (Michael Fassbender) in the miniseries “Band of Brothers” 51890
However, in vain Michael decided that the lucky ticket was already in his pocket. This was followed by several years of professional lack of demand and doubts about his own acting vocation. Michael Fassbender has already developed a “plan B” for himself - he decided that, like his father once, he would open a restaurant - fortunately, he had experience working as a waiter and assistant chef in his youth.
However, fortunately, a lucky chance arose on the path of the failed restaurateur in the person of director Steve McQueen. He was just about to make an arthouse film on a political theme, “Hunger.” Michael Fassbender, half-Irish by blood, was chosen to play the role of the famous Irish political terrorist Bobby Sands, who died in prison as a result of a hunger strike, but achieved his political goals.
Irish political terrorist Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) in the film “Hunger” 50434
For the sake of this role, Michael, already lean, had to lose 12 kilograms (for a month and a half he ate only berries, nuts and canned sardines). Formerly a celebrated artist, Steve McQueen was very particular about visual verisimilitude. And although The Hunger was shown in limited release, Michael Fassbender received a British Independent Film Award for his role as Bobby Sands and was nominated for a European Film Academy Award.
The next notable role, which brought Fassbender not only critical acclaim, but also worldwide fame, was the role of Archie Hickox in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.
Archie Hickox (Michael Fassbender) in the film “Inglourious Basterds” 51361
Michael Fassbender continued to act in very diverse films: in the new film adaptation of “Jane Eyre” (2011) he played the magnificent Mr. Rochester, in the film adaptation of the comic book “X-Men: First Class” Fassbender organically looked good in the role of young Magneto, and in David Croneberg’s film “A Dangerous Method” he played the self-absorbed psychoanalyst and philosopher Carl Jung.
Magneto (Michael Fassbender) in the movie "X-Men" 51320
However, his greatest fame, with a hint of scandal, was again brought to him by his collaboration with Steve McQueen, in whose film “Shame” Michael Fassbender played a man manically obsessed with sex. The candid shots made Fassbender the subject of desire, but also constant teasing. Thus, George Clooney, presenting Fassbender in one of the award nominations, said: “And now the guy who can play golf even with his hands tied behind his back will come out.”
Michael Fassbender in the film "Shame" 51086
The next milestone role for the actor was the android David in Ridley Scott’s large-scale film “Prometheus” - the prehistory of the film epic “Alien”. The film received a lot of critical reviews for the incompleteness and illogicality of the script, the wrong choice of Noomi Rapace for the role of the main character, but critics and viewers were clear on one thing: the cunning android David (Michael Fassbender) is the main decoration of the film.
David's Android (Michael Fassbender) in the film Prometheus 50752
Achievements of Michael Fassbender
Today, Michael Fassbender is one of the leading actors of his generation, a favorite of viewers and television critics. For his psychological depth and gift of transformation, he is constantly called “the new Marlon Brando.”
Michael Fassbender has worked with such famous directors as Quentin Tarantino, David Kroneberg, Ridley Scott, Steve McQueen, Matthew Vaughn.
Even before his major acting successes and the Hollywood “fashion for Fassbender,” Michael managed to star in a commercial for Guiness “Quarrel” beer.
Michael Fassbender in Guinness "Quarrel" advert 50377
Michael Fassbender has repeatedly graced the covers of Esquire, GQ, and W Magazina magazines. Vogue magazine photographed Fassbender together with Natalia Vodianova.
Michael Fassbender with Natalia Vodianova for Vogue 50527
Michael Fassbender is the winner of the following professional awards:
- 2008 – Irish Film and Television Award for his role in the film “Hunger”.
- 2009 - London Film Critics Circle Award, nomination for “Best Supporting Actor”, film “Aquarium”.
- 2011 – Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor (Jane Eyre, X-Men: First Class and A Dangerous Method)
- 2011 – Volpi Cup of the Venice Festival (nomination “Best Actor”, film “Shame”).
- For his role as sexaholic Brandon in the film Shame, Michael Fassbender received at least 8 prestigious film awards and 9 nominations.
Personal life of Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender was born into an international family: his mother is Irish and his father is German. When the child turned two, the family moved from Germany to the Irish city of Killarney, where they opened a family restaurant. Michael has an older sister, Katherine, a neurolinguist by profession. As a child, Michael learned to play the accordion. He still sings and dances beautifully.
Michael Fassbender with his parents 51280
Michael Fassbender's greatest hobby is riding a motorcycle and car. After the long and emotionally draining filming of Prometheus, Michael went on a motorcycle trip around Europe in the company of his father. The actor's favorite motorcycle is BMW.
Michael Fassbender took part in an episode of the British program Top Gear, where he demonstrated one of the highest driving speeds during the existence of the show.
Michael Fassbender is currently childless and unmarried. He was also not seen in a particularly long-term and permanent relationship. After filming X-Men: First Class, he briefly dated Zoë Kravitz, the daughter of famous singer Lenny Kravitz, who also starred in the film.
Michael Fassbender and Zoe Kravitz 50725
On the set of the film “Shame,” Michael Fassbender began dating actress Nicole Beheri, but in January 2013 information appeared that they were no longer together.
Michael Fassbender and Nicole Beheri 50677
Michael Fassbender's style
For red carpets, Michael Fassbender typically chooses perfectly fitting, slim-fitting three-piece suits. In everyday life, the actor adheres to a restrained casual style: jeans, T-shirts, sweaters. But he can also look completely relaxed in baseball caps, shorts, flip-flops or sneakers.
Michael Fassbender's style: suit 50876
Michael Fassbender Quotes
I love speed. Speed is danger, and danger and speed are two things that have fascinated me since childhood. Michael Fassbender
I like the wrinkles on my forehead because this is my life. This is what the girl who broke my heart gave me. Can I ever want to get rid of it? Michael Fassbender
Statements about Michael Fassbender
In life, Michael is friendly, but he doesn’t try to please, he is who he is. But on the set he is completely different: I constantly felt dangerous in him. Carey Mulligan, actress, Fassbender's co-star in the film "Shame"
Contact details for Michael Fassbender
Personal website: https://michael-fassbender-online.net/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MFOnline
X-Men: First Class
2011
A prequel to the main X-Men story, it is finally revealed how Professor Xavier and Magneto became best friends and then sworn enemies. As it turns out, Magneto turned into a terrorist for a reason. In the struggle for the supremacy of mutants over humans, his Stockholm syndrome manifests itself in a peculiar way. Erik Lehnsherr (that's the real name of the mutant) is a victim of Nazism. The result is tragic: Erik Lehnsherr took revenge on his offender, but as a result he himself got into his skin.
Movies
The beginning of Michael's creative career cannot be called successful. The tall (the actor is 183 cm tall and weighs 80 kg), handsome Irishman with a hypnotic gaze and a wide smile, for which Fassbender would later receive the nickname Shark, was not in demand in his youth.
Michael Fassbender (still from the film "300")
Since 2001, Michael received small roles in the films “Band of Brothers”, “Hearts and Bones”, “The Witch” and others. The series “Band of Brothers” was a success and received 2 prestigious awards – the actor believed that his time had come. He went to Los Angeles, but failed all the auditions and was forced to return to London.
Luck smiled on the actor in 2006, when Fassbender received a role in Zack Snyder's 300. Stelios, played by Michael, was remembered by the audience for his tanned, pumped up torso. To suit the role, the performer did sports for 10 weeks for 4 hours. In the same year, Fassbender’s acting portfolio was replenished with another significant work - Michael played in the drama “Angel” and for the first time revealed his talent as a dramatic actor.
In 2008, the artist got the main role in the project “Hunger,” which required enormous physical and psychological effort from the man. Michael played Irish Republican leader Bobby Sands, who went on a deadly hunger strike that lasted 66 days. The performer thoroughly studied the biography of his hero and went on a strict diet. By the start of filming, Fassbender had lost 57 kg, the same weight as Bobby Sands. For this film the actor received a British Film Award.
Katie Jarvis and Michael Fassbender (still from the film "Aquarium")
In 2009, two films with the actor’s participation were presented at Cannes: “Aquarium” (Connor) and “Inglourious Basterds” (Archie Hickox). After that, the directors flooded Michael with offers. The fame that the artist dreamed of came to him.
Fassbender owns the production company DMC FILM, founded in 2011. The company's first award was received at the BAFTA Film Festival for the short film “Black Heist” in 2011, starring Michael. The film "Slow West" received the jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The films "Macbeth" and "Our Debtors" were produced jointly with other companies.
In 2011, the actor played in Matthew Vaughn's superhero action film X-Men: First Class. The film became the beginning of a new trilogy about the clash between humans and mutants based on the comic books of the same name. First Class rebooted the X-Men universe, rejuvenating the main characters and villains that audiences had already seen in films about the mutant Wolverine.
Michael Fassbender as Magneto (still from the film "X-Men: First Class")
Michael Fassbender played the role of Erik Lehnsherr, later the superhero and then the supervillain Magneto, who has the power to control any metal object. The role of the main character and friend of Eric, telepath and telekineticist Charles Xavier, went to James McAvoy.
Also in 2011, Fassbender starred in the leading role in the drama directed by Steve McQueen. For his role as Brandon Sullivan in the film Shame, the actor received the Volpi Cup. In total, the film received 20 nominations for various awards and won 7 of them. The scandalous film told about the life of an erotomaniac and sexaholic. The controversial project received a positive response from most critics.
Another striking image that the actor embodied on screen was the role of one of the founders of psychoanalysis, Carl Jung, in the drama “A Dangerous Method.” The historical film was about 2 scientists and their patient, who later became interested in psychiatry. Viggo Mortensen played the role of Sigmund Freud, and Keira Knightley played the heroine Sabina Spielrein.
Michael Fassbender (still from the film "12 Years a Slave")
In 2012, the actor appeared in the sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus. The film takes place in the Aliens cinematic universe, but the plot is not directly related to these aliens. Michael played the role of an android robot. The actor received a long-awaited Oscar nomination in 2014 for his powerful portrayal in the film 12 Years a Slave, but he never received the coveted statuette. Michael says that bonuses are the last thing he cares about.
The star continues to star in new parts of the X-Men series. In 2014, the film “X-Men: Days of Future Past” was released, in which Fassbender returned to the role of Magneto. In this film, Hugh Jackman moved from the Wolverine franchise to the new trilogy, playing the main character there. Jackman also played a recurring role in the film about the X-Men.
Show “Evening Urgant” - Michael Fassbender visiting Ivan Urgant
As part of the X-Men promotional tour, the leading actors visited Russia. During the tour, Michael visited the popular television show “Evening Urgant”. In a video from May 21, 2014, Fassbender and Urgant talked about red-haired people, motorcycle races and virtual reality glasses.
In 2015, Fassbender starred as Steve Jobs in the film of the same name. For this work, the artist was nominated for a Golden Globe, an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Screen Actors Guild Award, but did not receive a single award.
In 2021, the sequel to the comic blockbuster “X-Men: Apocalypse” was released. It received mixed reviews from film critics. Time magazine ranked the film 1st in its ranking of the worst films of 2021.
Michael Fassbender (still from the film "X-Men: Apocalypse")
Recently, production activity has been gaining momentum in the man’s career. In 2021, Fassbender's production company DMC FILM was working on the film Assassin's Creed. Michael also played the lead role in this sci-fi action film. The plot is based on the Assassin's Creed series of games and tells the story of the confrontation between the Assassins and the Templars that has passed through the centuries. The film takes place in two eras and countries at once: in Spain in the 15th century and America in the 21st century.
In May 2021, the science fiction film “Alien: Covenant”, directed by Ridley Scott, premiered, the 6th part of the “Alien” universe. The film tells the story of the crew of the Covenant spaceship exploring a new, life-threatening planet. Michael Fassbender plays the android David, whose role the actor already played in the blockbuster “Prometheus” - the only inhabitant of the creepy planet. Other main characters in the film were played by Katherine Waterston, Noomi Rapace and James Franco.
Michael Fassbender (still from the film "The Snowman")
In October 2021, the premiere of the film “The Snowman” took place, a film adaptation of the popular novel by Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø. The film was directed by Tomas Alfredson. Fassbender played the main role of a detective who investigates a series of mysterious murders with snowmen constantly remaining at the crime scene.
Among the latest works in the artist’s filmography is a role in the musical melodrama “Song by Song,” in which Michael became part of a star-studded acting quartet. His partners were Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling and Natalie Portman. This is the story of a complicated relationship within two love triangles.
Advisor
2013
Fassbender's hero is a successful lawyer, an adviser on complex legal issues, who one day agrees on his own account to the proposal of Javier Bardem, dressed in a creepy shirt, to get involved in a story about drug trafficking. Of course, at some point everything goes awry, and the Advisor no longer gives advice, but receives it. One good thing is that both of them were written by the hand of Cormac McCarthy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and screenwriter of Cohen's No Country for Old Men.
Photo: stills from films
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