It was not hard to find Michael Fassbender on film this year. The actor was in five major movies including a new version of the epic Jane Eyre, X-Men: First Class, and the controversial Shame. On top of all that, the actor was selected as GQ Magazine Breakout Star of 2011 and Playlist’s Man of the Year. This was a culmination of over 17 years of acting in commercials, videos, British TV, and minor parts in films, including British independent productions. Fassbender has arrived, and it looks like, he is here to stay.
So why is Michael Fassbender the hottest star in Hollywood? It comes down to the fact that most movie stars are not always actors. What sets Fassbender apart is the fact that he can actually act and is superior to most mainstream actors. If Hugh Jackman is the cat’s meow then Michael Fassbender is the lion’s roar. Fassbender is poised to be the King of the thespians just as Olivier was during his lifetime. He doesn’t just know the script, he reads it 300 times, but it’s his natural talent that makes it all possible. Fassbender cements dialog to memory. He is a perfectionist who does not want to waste time. This is an indication that not only is Fassbender a dedicated performer, but that he has the work ethic of someone who treats acting as a profession.
While Fassbender underplays the role of talent in delivering exceptional performances, it has to be acknowledged that without a base foundation of talent, no amount of technique is going to get someone an Oscar worthy shot. Many people have identified his chameleon ability to not look like the same person from role to role. Those who were seeking a Meryl Streep finally ended their search with their discovery of Fassbender. Streep, a two-time Oscar-winning actress, is an expert at accents, languages, and physical transformations. Her longevity is a testament to how brilliant a performer she is, and how rare such a talent is.
Fassbender is also so handsome he is an Adonis but he does not reply on his appearance. It is undeniable how he can light up a screen but this comes from his delivery rather than looks. There are plenty of attractive people in Hollywood but not all actors attract both genders like Fassbender. Brando had this ability as does Jackman, but Fassbender does it better than anyone else right now. Between his unapologetic sexiness and quiet intense confidence, fans can’t resist falling under his spell. It’s called the “Fassy flu”.
So why is he so special? He brings back the Golden age of Hollywood when stars could do much more than look pretty. Fassbender also blurs the boundaries between audience and actor. Many screen icons cannot create intimacy with those who watch him. Some are opaque, unbelievable, or just too seemingly perfect to be regarded with any sense of familiarity. Hugh Jackman was made an international movie star with the first X-Men film in 2000. He shares with Fassbender the same photogenic qualities, Adonis like appearance, and a special presence that was obvious in his early days as an actor in Australia. Jackman’s charm is endearing but he is too nice and likeable that the darker roles are not believable when he plays them. Jackman is a box office draw and will continue to be but Fassbender is more likely to be remembered and used as a model to aspire to for other performers. Michael Fassbender reaches out from the screen and grabs hold of the audience’s imagination. He does this without effort. It is the visceral physicality that Jackman can’t do but Brando and Olivier did perfectly. Fassbender can act without speaking and despite his exceptional beauty, he feels real. The paradox of being unbelievably exceptional and yet completely relatable, equals the making of a legend.
Stars like Fassbender occur once or twice in a century. With him, you get the sense that you are witnessing a historical figure in progress like Olivier in his early films. In the beginning, only serious movie goers knew of Fassbender but as he has become mainstream, he still seems more actor than celebrity. Newer fans are starting blogs and Facebook pages dedicated to him with fervor. People are just taken aback by what they see. For years we have been subjected to imitations but now, Fassbender and his former drama classmate Tom Hardy, remind us what the genuine article looks like. For many, gone are the days when the likes of Matthew Morrison, Channing Tatum, or whatever is popular, will take your time, energy, and money. Fassbender makes one a connoisseur who won’t just fall for a beautiful face with only commercial appeal.