History Creator / MichaelFassbender

Michael Fassbender (born April 2, 1977) is an Irish–German screen and stage actor and producer.

Michael Fassbender (born 2 April 1977) is an Irish–German screen and stage actor and producer.

Michael Fassbender (born 2 April 1977) is an Irish–German actor with a background in theatre whose feature film debut was in the fantasy war epic ''Film/ThreeHundred'' (2007) as a Spartan warrior; his earlier roles included starring roles on television such as in the Creator/{{HBO}} miniseries ''Series/BandOfBrothers'' (2001) and the [[Creator/{{Sky}} Sky One]] fantasy drama ''Series/{{Hex}}'' (2004). He first came to prominence after starring in the 2008 film ''Film/{{Hunger}}'' about the 1981 [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Irish hunger strike]]. While the film had a fairly limited release, Fassbender's intense performance got a lot of praise.

* ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' films as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto:

* ''Franchise/{{Alien}}'' franchise (2012 -- present) as David:

** He also lobbied hard for Creator/RosarioDawson's role in ''Film/{{Trance}}''. He tried to convince Creator/DannyBoyle to make her character male and make the film revolve around a gay romance, sex scenes and all. This was after Creator/JamesMcAvoy was cast in the lead which means that Fassbender ''really'' wanted to make a film where [[Film/XMen Charles and Erik]] have a romantic relationship.

** He also lobbied hard for Creator/RosarioDawson's role in ''Film/Trance''. He tried to convince Creator/DannyBoyle to make her character male and make the film revolve around a gay romance, sex scenes and all. This was after Creator/JamesMcAvoy was cast in the lead which means that Fassbender ''really'' wanted to make a film where [[Film/XMen Charles and Erik]] have a romantic relationship.

** ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' (2018)

* MeanCharacterNiceActor: Is often typecast as villains or {{Jerkass}}es - but in real life is known to be friendly and fun to work with.

* AntiHero: He excels at playing immensely troubled but fundamentally good characters.

* TallDarkAndHandsome: At six feet tall, he pretty much epitomizes this trope.

* ''Film/{{The Snowman|2017}}'' (2017) as Harry Hole

* ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' films as [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesMagneto Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto]]:

* ''[[Film/XMenFilmSeries X-Men]]'' films (2011 -- present) as [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesMagneto Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto]]:

Michael Fassbender (born 2 April 1977) is an Irish–German actor actor with a background in theatre whose feature film debut was in the fantasy war epic ''Film/ThreeHundred'' (2007) as a Spartan warrior; his earlier roles included starring roles on television such as in the Creator/{{HBO}} miniseries ''Series/BandOfBrothers'' (2001) and the [[Creator/{{Sky}} Sky One]] fantasy drama ''Series/{{Hex}}'' (2004). He first came to prominence after starring in the 2008 film ''Film/{{Hunger}}'' about the 1981 [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Irish hunger strike]]. While the film had a fairly limited release, Fassbender's intense performance got a lot of praise.

He's married to Creator/AliciaVikander since 2017. He also may or may not [[MemeticMutation be a shark]].

* ''Film/{{X Men|Film Series}}'' films (2011 -- present) as [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesMagneto Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto]]:

* ''Film/{{X-Men|Film Series}}'' films (2011 -- present) as [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesMagneto Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto]]:

He also may or may not [[MemeticMutation be a shark]].

* ''Film/{{X-Men|Film Series}}'' films (2016 -- present) as [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesMagneto Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto]]:

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: [[invoked]]
** He was the runner up for ''Film/TotalRecall2012'' behind fellow Irishman Colin Farrell.
** He was set to play Thomas Wolfe in ''Genius'' but had to drop out, and Creator/JudeLaw replaced him.
** He cameo'd in Woody Allen's ''Cassandra's Dream'' but the scene was cut.

* ProductionPosse: [[invoked]] With Steve [=McQueen=]. Fassbender starred in all three films [=McQueen=] has directed (''Hunger'', ''Shame'' and ''12 Years a Slave''). They are friends in real life.
* PromotedFanboy: [[invoked]]
** When he was in secondary school, he put together a school play of Creator/QuentinTarantino's ''Film/ReservoirDogs'', a fact that came up when Fassbender was reading for a role in Tarantino's ''Film/InglouriousBasterds''.
** He's a self-proclaimed fan of the ''Franchise/AssassinsCreed'' games. Its movie adaptation is his first production as a movie co-producer.
* RomanceOnTheSet: [[invoked]]
** Dated actress Zoe Kravitz (Angel) while they were filming ''X-Men: First Class''.
** And dated his ''Shame'' costar Nicole Beharie.
** Started a relationship with Creator/AliciaVikander after they co-starred in ''The Light Between Oceans''.
* StarMakingRole: [[invoked]] ''Hunger'' and ''Film/ThreeHundred'' brought him to worldwide attention, but it was ''X-Men: First Class'' that really solidified his star status.

* RealLife/MeanCharacterNiceActor: [[invoked]] Is often typecast as villains or {{Jerkass}}es - but in real life is known to be friendly and fun to work with.

* TheCastShowoff: [[invoked]] He's shown off his bilingualism, speaking German for ''Film/IngloriousBasterds'' and ''Film/XMenFirstClass''.
* DyeingForYourArt: [[invoked]]
** For his role in ''Film/{{Hunger}}'', he dropped about thirty pounds and obsessively rehearsed the lengthy scenes. In general, Fassbender is known for his desire to fully embody his characters.
** ''Film/{{Centurion}}'' saw him get into [[http://66.media.tumblr.com/2c90756526095384e622041abf672f66/tumblr_mj9rkgIsx81qbtmrio1_1280.jpg incredible shape]] - since his ShirtlessScene lasts about twenty minutes.
** For ''Film/{{Prometheus}}'', he bleached his hair blonde.
** Also greyed his hair as part of his portrayal of Steve Jobs in his last years in ''Film/SteveJobs''.
* FakeNationality: [[invoked]] Tends to play a lot of American or British characters. He used his real accent for Magneto in ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' but switched to a British accent for subsequent films.
** In ''Film/AssassinsCreed2016'', he plays both an American death-row inmate and his Spanish ancestor.
* FakeScot: [[invoked]] As the man himself in ''Theatre/{{Macbeth}}''. He's one of two Irish actors in the 2015 version to do this, alongside Jack Reynor.
* FunnyCharacterBoringActor: [[invoked]] Inverted. He usually plays serious gritty roles. A glance at interviews shows he's quite the [[GenkiGirl Genki Guy]] and jokester.
* IronyAsSheIsCast: [[invoked]] Pat Christenson, his character in ''Series/BandOfBrothers'', doesn't know how to speak German while Fassbender is half-German and fluent in the language.

** ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' (2017)

* ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'' (2011 -- 2016) as [[Characters/XMenFilmSeriesMagneto Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto]]:

He had a handful of other notable roles over the next two years, but things really took off in 2011. That year he played more coveted (and well-received) roles than many actors have in their entire career including Comic Book /{{Magneto}} in ''Film/XMenFirstClass'', UsefulNotes/CarlJung in ''Film/ADangerousMethod'', and Mr. Rochester in ''Film/JaneEyre''. He is known for his broodingly intense persona and dark charisma. While having a quick career turn is not uncommon for actors, few have been in so many high-profile roles so successfully. His career seems to be continuing strongly with roles in big films like Creator/RidleyScott's ''Film/{{Prometheus}}''. In 2013 he returned to work with Steve [=McQueen=], the director of ''Hunger'' and ''Shame,'' and played slaveowner Edwin Epps in ''Film/TwelveYearsASlave'', a role he has garnered massive acclaim for, including nominations for an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.