Michael Fassbender’s Assassin’s Creed Movie Is Definitely Happening

On one hand, I wish they would not Video Game to Movie projects. On the other hand, Fassbender’s a pretty fantastic actor. I don’t know which direction this will go in but I’m excited and scared all at once.

I don’t know how there could be talk about Fassbender’s ethnicity when we don’t know who he’s playing yet.
If he’s playing Desmond, the ethnicity isn’t important. If he’s playing Desmond and one of his ancesters, well… which ancester is he playing? So far, one of the ancester is Palestinian and the other Italian, with the next one being native American. What kind of actor could represent all that genetic bagage at once?
And that’s all going by the theory that the movie will follow the game’s story, which hasn’t been confirmed as far as I know.
P.S.: I can’t find a link that says Fassbender is co-directing the film, only co-producing. I believe there might be a mistake in your original article (and this one) .

Oh, hooray, a whitewashed lead (I don’t care if he’s not Desmond specifically; the lead went from non-white in the game to white in the movie) being played by a known domestic abuser…

Aren’t those just rumors? Not trying to necessarily defend him here but I have not seen or heard anything substantial for this. If you have links that actually have proof of this, that’d be great.

They have a choice of four characters, (Altair, Ezio, Conner, and Desmond.) None of these characters are represented as Caucasian in the video game. Further, I would argue that Desmond’s ethnicity IS important. How many non-white video game protagonists are there? Really?

Because of the Animus, Ubisoft can choose to make their main character any ethnicity. They don’t have to stick to the video game characters; they can choose to set the movie whenever and wherever they want. It seems to me that they are choosing default-white-guy. Whether this is by white-washing a non-white part or by creating a new white character, Ubisoft is still neglecting the ethnic origins of their franchise.

I always saw Desmond as Caucasian and seeing a picture of Francisco Randez (the model Desmond is based on) doesn’t change my mind. There’s a bit of Spanish features in there but it’s still very much white.
Besides, this isn’t a video game and they can’t chose the ethnicity they want and digitally transform the actor into another race after. If they want their lead to play both the Desmondesque character and his ancester like I think they do, they have to chose a race that gives them the most opportunities.

Alright, well, I just looked further into this (because oh noz, moar white washing and all that jazz) and it doesn’t even look like Ubisoft is necessarily planning on following the games, especially since Fassbender is too old to play Desmond, who’s, I believe, an early-mid twenty something. This IS from back in July, but it DOES provide a bit of leeway. http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/fassbenders-assassins-creed-character-not-necessarily-desmond/

Though I do have to say that just because Fassbender may be playing a Desmond-esque character, it doesn’t negate the fact that his lineage can still be mixed and therefor, still provide multiple characters of different racial backgrounds. It’s lame of them to potentially go down this route (though to be perfectly honest, looking at Desmond doesn’t necessarily deter me from the idea that Fassbender could play him other than the age thing because, you know, White people often have very mixed backgrounds as well), it doesn’t necessarily imply or state that they will remove any other racial differentiation from the rest of the film. After all, Assassin’s Creed is incredibly well known and has made them a ton of money, EVEN with the mixed racial background characters that they’ve pulled up. Regardless, if he does play a Desmond-esque character, that makes a lot of implications over how much screen time he’d end up getting because of that since the games are so seriously focused on his actual ancestors.

So yeah, basically I’m saying Don’t jump the gun.

I’m also pretty sure he’s getting the lead since he’s apparently been the one trying to get this film done? Just saying.

Does this count? http://jstationx.com/serial-misogynist-michael-fassbender-to-work-on-assassins-creed-movie/

“they can’t chose the ethnicity they want and digitally transform the actor into another race after. ” Agreed. But they could hire a Spanish actor or Palestinian actor or olive-skinned Mediterranean actor.

At some point can we stop thinking of “white” as “default?”

No, no it doesn’t. I asked for proof of him being a woman beater, and the first statement provides a very factual statement that he is and yet I do not know where this is coming from since everything I have heard and seen regarding it has pointed to the ex girlfriend both having A.) done this previously to a boyfriend and B.) Having withdrawn her allegations because “she did not want to ruin his career” (which makes no sense because if you didn’t want to ruin someone’s career then why would you come out and say this in the first place?).

To be honest, I get uncomfortable reading from sources like that because it has a clear bias and has a very clear agenda in what they post. But if you could provide links to a police report and other relatively non-biased (sorry, the second I see Misogynist being stated, it’s very clear that it’s biased) sources stating that, that’d be great.

I’m aware of at least one quote in that article being taken out of context, and I never pay too much mind to editorials shy of facts, but he’s got a history.

However, the dude can’t help being white and I’m a little bit tired of that being considered a negative.

That’s essentially how I feel going there. I don’t understand how that can be considered a viable source with the kind of attitude it has.

At any rate, I’ve never actually heard of him being a violent person, I’ve only ever heard positive things about him so if this is actually true, that’s a major bummer, hence asking for actual sources.

I think you’re missing my point. If you’re casting a Palestinian, (and let’s be clear, if you do, you’re casting a complete unknown in what should be very expansive franchise. Not to mention he has to be able to act in english), that actor might have to be able to play somebody else in the sequel if they chose not to keep the same ancestor. The fact he is looking Palestinian could narrow the field of possibilities quite a bit.
Fassbender on the other end can look American, French, British, Canadian, Australian, German, Russian and a bunch of other nationality without any difficulty. And I’m not even talking about his range as an actor, which is huge.
Besides, if in AC2, you end up having a Palestinian playing an Italian, what’s the point of not having a white actor?

“done this…to a boyfriend”
“the second I see misogynist being stated…”

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc0n1eKrIi1rvze8yo1_500.gif

It’s not a negative. I Just because this puzzle piece doesn’t go here doesn’t mean it’s a bad piece, it just means it’s not right for that space and shoving it into a hole where it doesn’t fit is a) not utilizing all the pieces you have and b) making a mangled picture.

Oh, awesome. so you actually have nothing substantial to add and no legit proof. Good to know. Just wondering. If there’s anyone else who’s worth taking seriously, though, and actually has a relatively unbiased source that’s not looking to either label someone a “mansplainer” if they do not agree, that’d be great. If this is actually true, it’d be nice to know.

Perhaps I should have specified “Palestinian” and “Palestinian decent.” “Learning English” wouldn’t be a problem for an American of Palestinian or Arab decent. Further, When you say “Fassbender…can look American, French, British, Canadian, Australian, German, [and] Russian” reads as “Fassbender can look white, white, white, white, white, white, and white.” Whoopty doo. Trying to make him look like a race where he is not is a problem. Why is it more acceptable to spray tan someone into a minority than it is to cast a minority?

You’re point of casting an unknown as a problem does kind of make sense. I’m super excited for Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia 3!

I can get behind that analogy.

http://www.derailingfordummies.com/education.html

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3ogv9CpW91qzvwum.gif

Oh, right. So you think you’re being clever. I still fail to understand why I should take you seriously since rather than providing what I’m asking for, you’re coming back with rather pointless, empty topics that are only making you seem like the one without an argument or any reason for posting. So yeah. You can keep replying back like this if you think it’ll make you look better (why you care so much about how people view you on the internet, though, is another question entirely).

Just to be clear, I am sincere in asking for sources. If you’re not going to take that request seriously then please make way like that octopus and disappear like you’re apparently saying you are but you refuse to do.

“Fassbender…can look American, French, British, Canadian, Australian, German, [and] Russian” reads as “Fassbender can look white, white, white, white, white, white, and white.”
What does that even mean? Of course, an actor always look his race and I didn’t mention spray tan at all, so where did you get that? Is it the same place where I defended Jake Gyllenhaal’s casting in Prince of Persia?

By “done this to a previous boyfriend” do you mean “been abused by a previous boyfriend?” As for question B, that is really not that unusual as patterns of abuse reporting go. If you don’t want to believe it that’s your prerogative, but maybe you should go and do your own googling rather than sitting there demanding people provide you sources you deem to be acceptable.

Why do you want other people to do the legwork for you? If you’re as unbiased and curious on the matter as you claim to be then go look it up yourself.

No, I mean I read that she had actually previously accused a boyfriend of doing the same thing. I’m not stating this is true, nor am I stating that this negates the entire situation entirely, what I want to know is if this is, in fact, actually true. I’ve gone and done my own googling, which is why I’m stating, “wait, hey, nothing I’m seeing is actually substantial, if someone has something that’s truly substantial and would like to share, that’d be great”.

How apprehensive the two people who are making the boldest claims for this are to providing substantial evidence is not doing the situation any justice. I don’t believe I’m asking for too much, and am asking because if this is, in fact, true, then my opinion of Fassbender will be changed considerably. If you don’t want to be helpeful towards this (even though technically the burden of proof is on you since you are the one who initially stated the claim as fact) then yeah, I don’t see why I, or anyone else, should take what you said seriously.

Which is said since physical abuse is absolutely horrible, especially if someone has a history of it. But I suppose pride is more important than revealing someone who might actually have a history of this?

Because the burden of proof is not on me but the person who states it as fact.

Jeez. If you have no proof just say so. The fact that my asking for proof makes both parties flustered makes me raise an eyebrow. Shouldn’t you be more than happy to provide sources stating that this is, in fact, true?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_burden_of_proof

You’re right that casting a white actors gives filmmakers more possibilities…if the movie focuses on a euro-american part of the world. Less so if you choose a non-euro-american location. Such as the Arabian pennensula, or the Middle East, or South America. White is not the default race. (I threw in Gyllenhaal because you said you’d rather have a white experienced actor than an inexperienced actor of a minority. PoP is a prime example of that not working.)

I guess my big problem here is that in large part AC has focused on non-white characters. There isn’t exactly a wealth of those stories in video games or movies. Ubisoft is choosing to ignore that facet of the story in their casting. It’s a shame.

You have the same access to resources as anyone else. Google it. It’s not my job to feed you information.

But consider the following a) abused partners often do take back statements even when they’ve experienced abuse because they have genuine feelings for the person, b) police reports are NOT the only source of information and are NOT entirely without bias, and c) misogyny is real and shouldn’t be used as a “buzz word” when deciding who not to listen to.

I’m going to simply copy and paste because I’m tired of repeating myself.

[...] the burden of proof is not on me but the person who states it as fact.Jeez. If you have no proof just say so. The fact that my asking for proof makes both parties flustered makes me raise an eyebrow. Shouldn’t you be more than happy to provide sources stating that this is, in fact, true?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_burden_of_proof

I understand your issue, I really do. For once, a video game with mostly non-white characters gets turn into a film and the first actor cast is white. There’s not enough roles for non-whites; that’s a problem, and I agree that’s a problem. Prince of Persia had a lot more problems than the casting of Gyllenhaal but I’m with you 100% that a prince of Persia should look Persian at the very least, Persian preferably.
My opinion is that this particular film franchise is a different case because of its concept. Europeans are the ones who had the great military powers from the very start. They’re the ones who went to explore the world, conquered nations and created colonies, one of which became the greatest military power of all. Caucasian is the race that is the most spread on the planet. It is also the race responsible of the greatest achievements and the greatest tragedies. If somebody wants to make a series of film where an actor plays different role set in different historical period, that actor has to be white.

Thank goodness there aren’t any issues regarding evidence and proof in domestic violence cases…

if you’re trying to convince me to feel bad for my asking you to link to an actual article about this then you’re failing. I’m pretty over this thread. I have never met so many people who were apprehensive over providing a LINK to an ARTICLE about a SERIOUS topic. Holy crap. Everyone should totally take the both of you completely seriously. God forbid anyone ask for further information. Clearly this means that they think Fassbender’s innocent as opposed to actually being curious since they had never heard anything substantial regarding this and are wondering WHY it was stated as a FACT.

Though I suppose this is my fault, it’s very rare to actually come across anyone on here who’s willing to be helpful and informative.

Perhaps you’d get better responses if you didn’t start by equating “Misogynist” with “do not pay attention to”

Perhaps if you upgraded your comprehensive skills a few notches, this wouldn’t be an issue.

Wait.

I said I’m done. So I’m done.

http://www.derailingfordummies.com/intellectual.html

Unfortunately, the vast majority of movies adapted from video games suck, to put it succinctly.
and yes, he is the wrong ethnicity. They’re going to whitewash it just like everything else Hollywood seems to do that originally features a PoC anymore.

“Fassbender on the other end can look American, French, British, Canadian, Australian, German, Russian and a bunch of other nationality without any difficulty”
ALL of which are considered to be of white ethnicity. There are perfectly wonderful Arabian actors, Indian actors, Israeli, etc, that would work great in the roles needed for Assassin’s Creed. Oded Fehr, though he’s way too old, comes to mind.
There is no need to go with an actor who is considered white, no matter what ethnicity he attempts to portray when there are actors out there of the ethnicity needed for whatever part. Going with a white actor for what is an obviously non-white part is the easy way out and something Hollywood does quite often, unfortunately.

“It is also the race responsible of the greatest achievements and the greatest tragedies.”

I… no. Just, no. And this is coming from a white, mostly european girl (I have some Swedish in me, and depending on which map you use that may or may not be part of Europe as a whole). This part just shows your ignorance about history outside of the European history books. Have you read up about when Cordoba, Spain was a world power? Or how about when the Middle East ruled a ton of the “known world” (including Spain), invented a ton of math, and etc? Or what about Egypt? China? The Mongols (oh, and by the way, Genghis was by far a better conqueror than Alexander the Great)? What about all of India’s vast, complicated history? What about all the inventions and world changing things that were from those varied areas, that Europeans came into waaaay late? Buildings, art, weaponry, maths and sciences, poetry… the rest of the world is just as great at all this as Europe. I mean, hell dude. You are completely dismissing China’s own vast history! The only reason they didn’t colonize like crazy was because they already had huge amount of power and at that time wasn’t in a arms race against a bunch of similar sized neighbors!

Please, dear lord, go to the library and check out books about art and history outside of Europe’s. Because guess what? The rest of the world is just as awesome as us white folk. (And the whole ‘stop seeing white as the default’ thing? You just did it by saying that we just have better stories, because I mean, it’s not like other countries had huge wars or anything! /facepalm)

When I said “responsible of the greatest tragedies”, I though it would make it clear that I’m not some white dude who thinks his race is the greatest. In retrospect, that line was awkward, poorly written, and gave the wrong impression. Worse, it can actually be hurtful. Sorry about that; I was obviously tired when I wrote it.
My overall point was that when the mostly white Europe decided to colonize the occupied territories that they found, they spreaded their heritage everywhere and there is now more great “powers” with a Caucasian population than any other race. Since I think that a) Fassbender will play both the Desmond-esque character and his ancestor, and b) the movie franchise will try to have more than one ancestor coming from more than one country, a white actor will give more opportunties than an actor of a race with equally great but less numerous nations.
I was trying to underline the influence Europe and America had for most of history and came up with a formulation that earned me your foot print on my ass. I think I will leave it there a while, as a reminder.

Ramon Tikaram- father,Fiji -Indian and mother from Borneo