What do a 15th century Spanish Assassin and a modern day death row inmate have in common? Genes, of course, and it’s that genetic connection that saves the life of Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender), the protagonist of Justin Kurzel’s upcoming movie based on Ubisoft’s massively successful video game franchise Assassin’s Creed. The film sees Callum brought in by Abstergo Industries, the modern face of the Knights Templar, and forced to relive the memories of his ancestor, Aguilar (also played by Fassbender).
Assassin’s Creed began production last year, with filming taking place at Pinewood Studios in London, and on location in Spain and Malta. The first official stills have teased some epic sword battles in the historical sections of the film, and now it’s time for those sword battles to head into post-production (along with the rest of the footage) as filming on Assassin’s Creed is now complete.
This news comes via Azaïzia Aymar, Ubisoft’s head of content for the Assassin’s Creed franchise, who has been working on the film as a consultant and posting occasional teases from the set. Aymar shared a photo of the crew on set (in front of a green screen, which unfortunately doesn’t give much away) along with the announcement that the last shot had just been filmed. Fassbender is in the center of the photo holding up the final clapperboard, with Kurzel by his side.
It is my honor to announce that #assassinscreedmovie last shot was taken minutes ago! Congratulations guys!!! pic.twitter.com/UxsiUDIQQm— Azaïzia Aymar (@AymarMtl) January 15, 2016
Speaking in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Fassbender described Callum as “an outsider” who has “been institutionalized from his early teens” - perhaps how he ended up on the path that took him to death row. Callum is a “little bit of a lost soul,” so reliving Aguilar’s memories and connecting with his ancestor helps him begin to “identify [his] lineage and where he comes from.” Unfortunately, that help comes at the hands of Alan Rikkin (Jeremy Irons), the head of Abstergo and a man with some potentially dangerous motives.
Set photos and promo images are all well and good, but what Assassin’s Creed fans are really looking forward to is seeing the first footage from the movie. With the release date beginning to creep closer, New Regency and Ubisoft Motion Pictures may have a teaser trailer ready within the next few months (possibly on March 25th). Will this leap of faith end in a nice soft cart of hay, or a humiliating crash on the cobblestones followed by swift desynchronization?
Assassin’s Creed is set for release on December 21st, 2016.
