Assassin's Creed (film)

Assassin's Creed

Official logo
Directed by Justin Kurzel
Produced by
Screenplay by
Based on Assassin's Creed 
by Ubisoft
Starring
Cinematography Adam Arkapaw
Production
company
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release dates
  • December 21, 2016 (2016-12-21) (North America)
Country
  • France
  • United States
Language English
Budget $150–200 million[2][3]

Assassin's Creed is an upcoming action adventure film based on the video game franchise of the same name. It is directed by Justin Kurzel and stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Michael K. Williams, Ariane Labed, Jeremy Irons, and Brendan Gleeson. The film will be set in the same universe as the video games and feature an original story that expands the series' mythology. Filming began in late August 2015 for a release on December 21, 2016.

Premise

Callum Lynch discovers that his ancestor Aguilar, from 15th century Spain, was an Assassin. Callum relives Aguilar's memories to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to confront the Templars — age-old enemies of the Assassins — in the present day.[4]

Cast

Original characters created for the film, Lynch is a descendant of the Assassins, with genetic links to Aguilar, an Assassin in 15th century Spain.[5][4]
The CEO of Abstergo Industries in Madrid, Spain,[9] and the father of Cotillard's character.[1] The character previously appeared in the first Assassin's Creed game.

Production

Development

"You know, we absolutely want to respect the game. There's so much cool stuff in the game that we're actually spoiled for choice in terms of what we can use and what we can't, but we also want to bring new elements to it and perhaps our own version of things that already exist in the game. But we're definitely making a feature film, and we're approaching it as a feature film, as opposed to approaching it as a video game. But I love the world... When I met up with the guys from Ubisoft and they started to explain this whole world and the idea of DNA memory – you know, I think it's a very feasible scientific theory. I just thought, 'This is so rich,' and about the possibility of it being this cinematic experience. So I'm really excited about it, and we're working very hard to make sure that we've got the best and most exciting, original package."

—Michael Fassbender, star and producer of the film, on how much of the film would remain faithful to the game and how much would be an original story.[10]

By October 2011, Sony Pictures was in final negotiations with Ubisoft Motion Pictures to make a film version of Assassin's Creed,[11] to be released in 3D.[12] In July 2012, Michael Fassbender was announced to star in the film, as well as co-produce the film through his DMC Film banner with Conor McCaughan.[5] Jean-Julien Baronnet, CEO Ubisoft Motion Pictures, said Fassbender was the studio's first choice to star in the film. As well, negotiations between Sony Pictures and Ubisoft Motion Pictures was put on hold, with Ubisoft executives planning to develop the film independently in order to maintain greater creative control. Sony could still distribute the film, but Ubisoft Motion Pictures would not resume talks until packaging the project with a writer and director.[13] In October, Ubisoft revealed the film would be co-produced with New Regency and distributed by 20th Century Fox. New Regency financed part of the film's production, in order for Ubisoft to not shoulder much financial risk, yet still be involved creatively;[14] RatPac Entertainment and Alpha Pictures also co-financing the film.[8] Baronnet also revealed Ubisoft hoped to release the film along with a new game launch for the series.[14]

In January 2013, Michael Lesslie was hired to write the film.[15] In June 2013, Frank Marshall entered negotiations to produce the film, along with Fassbender and McCaughan for DMC Film and Eli Richbourg for Ubisoft.[16] In July, Scott Frank revealed he was rewriting the script.[17] In January 2014, a Linkedin profile for executive producer Fannie Pailloux stated filming was scheduled to begin in August 2014.[18] In April 2014, Adam Cooper and Bill Collage were hired to rewrite the script.[19] By the end of April, Justin Kurzel was in talks to direct.[20] In June, Olivia Munn expressed interested in appearing in the film.[21]

Pre-production

On February 12, 2015, Ubisoft's CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed that New Regency had begun production on the film.[22] The following day, Marion Cotillard was revealed to have joined the cast, and that filming was expected to begin in late 2015.[6] In April 2015, Fassbender revealed that filming is scheduled to begin in September 2015.[23] In May 2015, Alicia Vikander was in talks to star in the film,[24] though in the following month, she took a role in the fifth Bourne film instead,[25] leading Ariane Labed to be cast in her place.[8] Producers on the film include Baronnet, Patrick Crowley, Fassbender, Marshall, Conor McCaughan and Arnon Milchan.[8] In July 2015, Michael K. Williams was added to the cast.[7] In late August 2015, Fassbender's role was revealed as Callum Lynch in the present day and Aguilar in 15th Century Spain, as well as filming locations for the film.[4] Aymar Azaïzia, head of Assassin's Creed content at Ubisoft, stated that the film, which is "a brand new story, [with] new characters set in our universe," had the possibility to feature "some familiar faces" and that the present day element would feature Abstergo.[26]

Filming

Principal photography on the film began on August 31, 2015, with filming taking place in Malta, London and Spain.[4][27][28] Adam Arkapaw serves as cinematographer, while Andy Nicholson acts as production designer.[29] In October 2015, Jeremy Irons and Brendan Gleeson joined the cast.[1] In December 2015, shooting took place in Spain,[30] and Irons' role was revealed to be Alan Rikkin.[9] Filming ended on January 15, 2016.[31]

Release

Assassin's Creed is scheduled to be released on December 21, 2016.[32] The film was originally announced in May 2013 to be released on May 22, 2015,[33] which was later pushed back the following month to June 19, 2015.[34] In November 2013, the film was pushed back once again to a new release date of August 7, 2015.[35] In September 2014, the film was pushed to an unspecified 2016 release date,[36] which was revealed to be December 21, 2016 in January 2015.[32]

Potential sequel

In March 2016, Daphne Yang, CEO of the film's Taiwanese co-financier CatchPlay, stated that New Regency was looking to turn the film into a franchise, since it is based on "successful Ubisoft games and would make ideal sequels."[37]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Busch, Anita (October 1, 2015). "Jeremy Irons & Brendan Gleeson Join ‘Assassin’s Creed’". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Assassin’s Creed movie: “modelled on Batman Begins or Blade Runner”". Den of Geek.
  3. ↑ Sean Wist. "Ubisoft employee posts first on-set pictures of Assassin's Creed".
  4. 1 2 3 4 Doty, Meriah (August 27, 2015). "'Assassin's Creed' First Look: Here's Michael Fassbender as Brand New Character (Exclusive)". Yahoo. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Wigler, Josh (July 9, 2012). "Michael Fassbender To Star In ‘Assassin’s Creed’". MTV. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Fleming Jr., Mike (February 13, 2015). "Marion Cotillard To Star With Michael Fassbender In ‘Assassin’s Creed’ For New Regency & Ubisoft". Deadline. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  7. 1 2 Kroll, Justin (July 6, 2015). "Michael K. Williams Lands Key Roles in ‘Assassin’s Creed,’ ‘Ghostbusters’ (EXCLUSIVE)". variety.com. Retrieved July 7, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Jaafar, Ali (June 24, 2015). "Ariane Labed Joins Cast of ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Opposite Michael Fassbender". deadline.com. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Dornbush, Jonathon (December 22, 2015). "Hear from Jeremy Irons as Abstergo Industries' CEO in new Assassin's Creed tease". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  10. ↑ Cornet, Roth (August 8, 2014). "Michael Fassbender Wants To Honor The Game & Bring In Original Elements On The Assassin's Creed Movie". IGN. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  11. ↑ Graser, Marc (October 20, 2011). "Sony breeds 'Creed'". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  12. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa; Hopewell, John (May 15, 2011). "Gallic vidgamer Ubisoft lines up 3 features". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  13. ↑ Graser, Marc; Keslassy, Elsa (July 9, 2012). "Fassbender game for ‘Assassin’s Creed’". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Graser, Marc (October 22, 2012). "New Regency, Fox partner on Ubisoft’s ‘Assassin’s Creed’". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  15. ↑ Siegel, Tatiana (January 14, 2013). "New Regency and Ubisoft Tap Brit Writer for 'Assassin's Creed' Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  16. ↑ Kit, Borys (June 11, 2013). "Frank Marshall to Produce 'Assassin's Creed' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  17. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim (August 16, 2013). "Scott Frank Rewriting Assassin's Creed Movie". IGN. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  18. ↑ Mahardy, Mike (January 25, 2014). "Assassin's Creed Movie To Begin Shooting In August, Exec Says". IGN. Retrieved January 25, 2014.
  19. ↑ Fleming Jr., Mike (April 7, 2014). "‘Exodus’ Scribes Adam Cooper & Bill Collage Take ‘Assassin’s Creed’". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  20. ↑ Fleming, Jr., Mike (April 29, 2014). "Michael Fassbender Poised To Re-Team With ‘Macbeth’ Helmer On ‘Assassin’s Creed’". Deadline.com. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ Olivia Munn Wants to be in Assassin's Creed Movie. IGN. June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  22. ↑ Tach, Dave (February 12, 2015). "Assassin's Creed movie is in production and has a confirmed 2016 release date". polygon.com. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  23. ↑ Douglas, Edward (April 30, 2015). "Exclusive: Michael Fassbender on Developing Assassin’s Creed". comingsoon.net. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  24. ↑ Fleming, Jr, Mike; Jaafar, Ali (May 22, 2015). "Hot Cannes 'Circle' Package Imperiled As Alicia Vikander In Talks To Star In 'Assassin's Creed', New 'Bourne' Film". Deadline. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  25. ↑ Jaafar, Ali (June 23, 2015). "Alicia Vikander Confirmed For Bourne Sequel Opposite Matt Damon". deadline.com. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  26. ↑ Osborn, Alex (August 28, 2015). "ASSASSIN'S CREED MOVIE FEATURES SHARED UNIVERSE WITH GAMES". IGN. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Big screen adaptation of Assassin's Creed starts shooting in Malta". timesofmalta.com. September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  28. ↑ Lee, Chris (December 9, 2015). "Michael Fassbender was playing the hero in Assassin's Creed when he nabbed a SAG Award nomination". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  29. ↑ Schaefer, Sandy (September 11, 2015). "Assassin’s Creed Movie Has Started Filming In Malta". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  30. ↑ Jayson, Jay (December 13, 2015). "First Look At Michael Fassbender On The Set Of Assassin's Creed". Comicbook.com. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  31. ↑ Jayson, Jay (January 15, 2016). "Assassin's Creed Movie Starring Michael Fassbender Wraps Filming". Comic Book.
  32. 1 2 Tom Phillips (January 6, 2015). "Assassin's Creed film now due Christmas 2016". Eurogamer. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  33. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim (May 17, 2013). "Assassin's Creed Movie Slated for 2015 Release". IGN. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  34. ↑ Nicholson, Matt (June 21, 2013). "Fox Shuffles X-Men, Apes and Assassin's Creed". IGN. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  35. ↑ Collura, Scott (November 12, 2013). "Fantastic Four Reboot, The Secret Service Release Date Changes". IGN. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  36. ↑ McClintock, Pamela (September 18, 2014). "'X-Men' Spin-Off 'Deadpool' Gets Winter 2016 Release Date". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  37. ↑ Frater, Patrick (March 22, 2016). "‘Assassin’s Creed,’ ‘Splinter Cell’ Being Eyed for Sequels". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2016.

External links

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