Aiming to break the curse of the video-game adaptation, Assassins Creed seems to have all the ingredients in place. A gifted young director (Justin Kurzel), talented supporting cast (Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson) and DP (Adam Arkapaw) and a cinematic premise involving swordplay, adventure and a bit of devilry are all reasons for optimism, as is Michael Fassbenders presence in the two lead roles as 15th-century swashbuckler Aguilar and his genetically-linked, modern-day ancestor, Callum Lynch. And heres another one: Fassbender is citing a certain genre-redefining sci-fi as a major inspiration.
Ive always thought about The Matrix when weve approached this, he tells Empire. This idea of DNA memory elevates it from a basic fantasy genre [piece], because you have something an audience can actually believe in. Then the journey becomes so much more elevated, because youre on board in a different way.
Fassbender is also promising in-camera stunts so spectacular theyll have even your retinas rubbing their eyes. Old-school is the word hes using.
Theres very little green screen in this, which is highly unusual in these films, he stresses. We have stunt guys jumping across buildings in (Maltese capital) Valletta. Weve got (stunt man) Damian Walters doing a 120-foot leap of faith, without any rope, into a bag, so its pretty incredible to see.
Taking as its basis the Ubisoft game, Assassins Creed will see Fassbenders Lynch discovering that hes descended from a secretive society of assassins and is coerced into experiencing the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar in 15th century Spain. Thanks to technology that unlocks genetic memories, hes able to amass knowledge and skills, which will come in handy since he has to take on the centuries-old Templar organisation in the present day.
Were not trying to make it too crazy violent, elaborates its star, although obviously there is an element of that, but what is really cool is that our action sequences are on real sets and real locations.
Recently wrapped after a shoot that took in London, Spain and Malta, Assassins Creed is scheduled for a UK release on Boxing Day this year.