Michael Fassbender Says ‘Assassin’s Creed’ “Took Itself Too Seriously”

Time has neither been kind or unkind to “Assassin’s Creed,” mostly, it’s just been forgotten. Less than a year has passed since the video game adaptation hit the big screen and fizzled, earning $240 million worldwide on a $125 million budget. That number seems okay until you realize the film couldn’t even get to $55 million domestic, opening in fifth place on its debut weekend. Panned by critics, and having failed to stir enthusiasts of the game –  and even less of the general public – a potential franchise was lost. And Michael Fassbender thinks he knows why.

Speaking with Movie’n’co way back in the spring (but I guess only really circulating now), the actor is pretty candid about why “Assassin’s Creed” didn’t work and what he’d do differently for a sequel (though, fat chance of that happening).

“For sure, it wasn’t ideal. I think we missed an opportunity there a little bit. So we’ll wait and see what Ubisoft are coming up with. But right now I don’t know,” Fassbender said. “I would make it more entertaining, that’s really the main note. The feeling of the film, I think it took itself too seriously and I would get to the action a lot quicker. I think there’s three beginnings of the film, which is a mistake.”

We’ll see if Ubisoft rolls the dice on those ambitious plans for a trilogy, but again, I wouldn’t hold my breath on any of that happening. In general, video games remain a hard medium to translate to film, particularly as console storytelling grows more open-ended. Trying to configure that to a linear narrative isn’t always easy. At any rate, Hollywood will try again with “Tomb Raider” next year. [via Indiewire]