ASSASSIN’S CREED Trailer
Those who argue that there’s never been a good movie based on a video game may have to change their tune come December, because that’s when the much talked about Assassin’s Creed finally hits theaters. Sure, there’s some optimism about this summer’s Warcraft with Duncan Jones at the helm, but that project pales in comparison to the deep pedigree behind Assassin’s Creed.
Producer and star Michael Fassbender (who does so many movies that I’m skeptical he actually sleeps) has been attached to the project since 2012. He recruited his Macbeth director, Justin Kurzel, in 2014, and it seems that much of the Macbeth team wound up on Assassin’s Creed. Actress Marion Cotillard, cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, composer Jed Kurzel, and screenwriter Michael Lesslie all made the jump from Shakespeare to Ubisoft, while the rest of the cast and crew have their own impressive credentials to back them up.
Going after Fassbender in the first place sent a message about the unusually high quality that the project is aiming for, and nothing about the production has veered from that path. This is a big-budget movie with location shooting and live stunts, an investment that is already paying off in this surprisingly gorgeous trailer.
Still, this film has a responsibility to fans of the video game series as well as movie audiences, and while it’s created its own story and deviated from some of the game’s formula, it still retains enough to be recognizably of the same world. I’ve never played the games myself, but even I recognize the trailer’s Leap of Faith ending as trademark Assassin’s Creed. If the film can strike the balance of pleasing both audiences, then we will, undeniably, have our first great video game movie.
Assassin’s Creed is directed by Justin Kurzel and stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, and Jeremy Irons. It will be released in the U.S. on December 21st, 2016 and in the U.K. on December 30th, 2016. For international release dates, click here.
Do you think Assassin’s Creed will live up to its growing hype? Let us know in the comments!
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