Michael Fassbender is returning to his roots. The Irish-German actor will be leading a project based on mythologies of that former heritage, Screen Daily reports. Public Enemies writer Ronan Bennett has been developing the project with Fassbender which will see him star as Cú Chulainn, a mythological hero figure known for his monster-like qualities in war.
Specific plot details are spare, but being based on one of the four branches of Irish mythology, the Christian-era Ulster Myth Cycle, the original writings have violent and supernatural elements in these war stories, with some comedy mixed in. There is no telling what direction Fassbender or Bennett are taking their adaptation in, but the source is said to have harsh realism in these medieval times.
Centurion immediately comes to mind when I pair Fassbender and this style of story, but let’s hope there is some more thought put into this film and not just silly gratuity. Aside from starring in big tentpoles like X-Men: First Class and Prometheus, it is great to see Fassbender focus on these smaller projects. He also has Steve McQueen‘s Shame follow-up Twelve Years a Slave shooting this summer and a possible re-team with Ridley Scott, for his take on Cormac McCarthy‘s first script The Counselor.
No director has been chosen for Irish Myths, but funding is set by Fassbender and Bennett’s London production company Finn McCool Films.
What do you think Fassbender starring in a mythical Irish film?