Michael Fassbender Producing ‘Assassin’s Creed,’ Will Also Star

Well things just got a lot more interesting for folks awaiting a film version of Assassin’s Creed. Word has come down that Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class, Prometheus) has signed on to both produce and star in the adaptation of Ubisoft’s blockbuster game series.

Fassbender’s involvement gives Ubisoft Motion Pictures (newly developed by the company last year) a big bat to swing after negotiations between the fledgling production company and Sony Pictures were put on hold.

While it isn’t out of the question that talks may resume for Sony (or another big studio) to distribute the film, UMP has made it known they wish to produce the movie on their own in order to retain creative control and avoid a repeat of the less-than-warm reception for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.  Ubisoft claims it will even turn to its own studios (they own 26 of them) to handle visual effects for the project.

Spanning three main entries (Assassin’s Creed III is due this October) and several spinoff titles, the series is set in the near future and focuses on bartender Desmond Miles.  Kidnapped by a shadowy organization at the opening of the series, Desmond is forced to run trials in the Animus, a device used to tap into an individual’s genetic code and bring the memories of their ancestors to life. For unknown reasons, they force Desmond to relive major events of his ancestor Altair, a member of an assassin order during the time of the Crusades. Through his experiences as Altair and his interactions with his captors, Desmond comes to learn of a centuries-long conflict between his assassin ancestors and the Templar Knights, a conflict far from over.

After playing Magneto and the android David, Fassbender likely has the respect and admiration of the gaming community. For others, his presence helps enhance a project that would otherwise have a slightly limited appeal.

There's no timeline for production on an Assassin's Creed film, but things appear to be steadily moving along.