New ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Photo Sends Michael Fassbender Back in Time

There are a few reasons to be tentatively excited about the Assassin’s Creed movie — Michael Fassbender is starring in and producing the adaptation, re-teaming with his Macbeth director Justin Kurzel and co-star Marion Cotillard for what may very well be the first truly good movie based on a video game. A new image from the film has arrived online, with Fassbender in costume as his character’s 15th century counterpart alongside co-star Ariane Labed.

EW debuted the new image, which features Fassbender in a familiar costume as Aguilar, the 15th century Spanish assassin / ancestor of the actor’s present-day character, Callum Lynch:

Fassbender plays both roles in the film, which follows Lynch as he utilizes revolutionary genetic technology to travel back in time and live as Aguilar, an assassin from a secret order that’s been battling the Knights Templar for centuries. Lynch must use the skills acquired in the past to continue the fight in the present.

The actor told EW that he never played the Assassin’s Creed games before he signed on for the film, which is hardly surprising — honestly, could you imagine Michael Fassbender chilling on a couch with a video game and a bag of chips? Nope.

Fassbender has played a bit of the game since getting involved with the film, though:

I’ve played it since [being offered the job] mainly to get an idea of the physicality of the character. We’re striving to find something special. We believe the whole concept around it is special and want to service that the best we can. The fans are really passionate: very specific and they expect accuracy and historical detail. We’re really trying to capitalize and feed on and enjoy the fun element. We’re working hard to make this something special.

The actor went on to describe much of his character’s action as “parkour” and “close quarters fighting,” so he’s clearly done his homework on the series.

Fassbender is reuniting with Macbeth director Justin Kurzel for the adaptation, which is currently filming in Spain with Macbeth cinematographer Adam Arkapow, who also served as the director of photography on the first season of True Detective. Co-starring with Fassbender in the adaptation are Michael K. Williams, Brendan Gleeson and Jeremy Irons.

If nothing else, Assassin’s Creed will look gorgeous and have some great performances. The film’s viral campaign recently kicked off, teasing the arrival of something significant on March 25 — the same day Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (also starring Irons) hits theaters.

Assassin’s Creed arrives in theaters on December 21, 2016.