FUTURE FILMS
Altering the storyline
Assassin’s Creed
Director Justin Kurzel, and performers Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender are riding the crest of a wave ahead of the release of Macbeth, with early reviews hailing it as a dark, furious and incredibly stylish rendition of the classic Shakespearean play. Why do we reference this particular trio, you ask? Because it’s the creative team spearheading a live-action Assassin’s Creed film.
Taking the reins of a deeply historical video game franchise that spans aeons will be no mean feat, but perhaps the one tenet that has us excited for Kurzel’s vision is the fact that it will stand on its own two feet – after using its Eagle Vision to scout the area, of course. As revealed via the film’s debut image, Fassbender will play Callum Lynch, a character that is an entirely new addition to the Assassin’s Creed lore.
Flitting between the present day and 15th Century Spain, the storyline will still revolve around the nefarious Knights Templar, though whether elements such as the Animus or canonical characters will appear remains to be seen. Then again, could Kurzel and Co. (Exodus: Gods and Kings’ Bill Collage and Adam Cooper are on board to pen the script) benefit more from leaving the nest?
[zerg]Rather that aping what has come before, Kurzel’s Assassin’s Creed could act as an extension of this most intriguing universe. The Spanish Inquisition is as rich a setting as they come, and there’s no doubting the film’s credentials.
Kurzel. Cotillard. Fassbender. A creative dream team for Hollywood big wigs. History has taught us that this hasn’t always panned out – one need only take a look at fellow Ubisoft game-to-film adaptation Prince of Persia. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Assassin’s Creed is immediately consigned to the garbage bin left brimming with other botched translations.
– Michael Briers
