TGIF524

I would like to announce that Barbara B has joined the FF admin team to lend her great love for Fassy and her talented writing skills to helping Fassinating Fassbender become even better! The timing is perfect as she is winding down another academic presentation in Prague about the Fassbender Fenomenon, and Dionne needs the backup support as I prepare for my vacation late next week. For someone who has only been a Fassinator for a year, I am in complete awe of Barbara's intense and respectful interest in enjoying the work of Michael Fassbender, and using her interest, as well as her observations within the fanbase, to use for her personal academic studies and papers in the analysis of fandoms. Fassinating Fassbender has been a petri dish of excellent research material for her, and I'm sure her new role as FF Admin will provide more insight about our FF community, the fans, and Michael. Please welcome her!

TGiFassy!

Frank Update: The Head Stays On! (Updated)



No Fassy Face in Frank.

Well ain't that a bitch. (sigh) Oh well, I did prepared myself but the worse is true, according to Empire Online's review of some footage from Frank in Cannes, the paper head remains on Michael's perfect head for the entire film. There's no word yet on buyers for the film, but we should hear something positive on that front any moment now. Very excited to hear Michael's "deep, rich American accent". So with 'Frank' apparently being Americanized, this is definitely be very loosely influenced from the real Frank, who was British.

Frank


Already much buzzed about due to that first look pic showing Michael Fassbender wearing a Frank Sidebottom-style papier-mâché head, the footage from Lenny Abrahamson’s comedy about a gonzo rock band was the biggest hit among the assembled journalists. The focus here is on Domnhall Gleeson, effectively playing Jon Ronson (on whose experiences the film is based) as he joins a band, only to find that they’re all one capo short of the fifth fret. We got to hear Fassbender speak as Frank, in a deep, rich American accent, but there wasn’t even a hint of the head coming off. And there were plenty of laughs, too, as Gleeson’s character adjusts to the methods of a group that think outside the box. “Somebody’s thinking in the key of C!” bellows Frank, as he and his cohorts run around in a circle. “It’s me! Sorry” yells Gleeson, who is promptly decked by Maggie Gyllenhaal, as the band’s thereminist. Highly promising.

Since it's a very slow Fassbender news week, here's an oldie but goodie of Michael and Daddy Fassbender. It's from Cannes 2008. Surely we'll most likely see Michael at Cannes 2014. :-)

Updated: Posted on twitter 5/22 Michael at Buckmore Park Kart in Kent, England -
 Buckmore Karting ‏@BuckmorePark 2h

Look who was with us tonight. What an Inglorious Basterd. pic.twitter.com/vysZAxSq8f

A man and his love for cars. :-) the website.

A quick note

Hey everyone, just a quick personal note. I had lunch today with Fassinator Myriam and it was lovely to meet her. We will surely be hanging out when our schedule allows. It's nice meeting someone from the fandom and discover that you have a lot in common with them as well! What I wanted to take a moment to pimp was that she wore the V-neck 'Keep Calm and Fassbender On' shirt, in black with the clover and it's beautiful!!! She has bought 4 shirts! And I wore my green 'Toothy Shark' shirt and got lots of attention and one lady said my shirt was very cool. So if you're hesitant about getting a Keep Calm Fassinating Fassbender shirt because you think it's too quirky, please reconsider because the shirts come in so many styles, sizes, and colors that it can really be a unique look for you. After seeing Myriam's shirt, I'm going to buy a black v-neck 'Fassbender On' w/clover. I think the black v-neck in all themes will complement almost anything in your closet.

These are "Out takes" from 2011 Vanity Fair

I will NEVER understand why these have been withheld from us. Never! Are they too sexy? Posted by Barbara at Pinterest.

Assassin Creed (May 22, 2015)

Whew! I am so glad to finally hear news about this video game plot with Michael Fassbender. It is still on and we ONLY have to wait a measly 24 months! More from Slashfilm:

There’s been a killer addition to the Summer of 2015. Assassin’s Creed, based on the popular Ubisoft video game series, will hit theaters on May 22, 2015. 20th Century Fox is now on board the project which, at this point, only has Michael Fassbender attached to play Desmond Miles, the descendant of a long line of assassins who can relive the memories of his ancestors.t this point, no other film is schedule on that date but, if Star Wars Episode VII comes out on its traditional Summer weekend, it’ll be going up against this film. Michael Lesslie is writing the screenplay. No director is attached but with a release date two years away from next weekend, you can expect that to change soon. 

I know some people aren't thrilled about Michael getting involved with a video game franchise, but Assassin's Creed has a strong, STRONG following, and I believe it recently broke a record for most sales of a video game episode/installment. Fact is, people want this and it's coming and it's starring our boy! Assassin's Creed will be the third comic/game role for Michael, name the first two?

TGiF 517

TGiFassy couldn't come soon enough! This has been an emotional roller coaster of a week. Two bad things happened, and two and a half great things happened to help balance out some trying days. This picture of Michael from last year's Prometheus press screening in Paris is very appropriate. Two weeks from today, I'll physically be in London, and days later, Paris. I'm so grateful to all my friends and fans of Fassinating Fassbender. My friend Laurie poked her head in here the past few days and she was greatly impressed with the bond I have developed with many of you. If she sees it, others do too. FF isn't just about me, or Michael Fassbender, it's about US and what we make of this community. The Internet is huge and everyone is free to go wherever they want. But many of you choose to be here, and be loyal to FF as I am to you in providing a fun and informative community for you to enjoy when your life is stressful and you need to escape, if just for a few moments.

So, TGiFassy to my friends here at Fassinating Fassbender. I appreciate you more than you ever know! xoxo

More on Frank

Nothing new to report, just a direct cut/paste from Screendaily

Frank (post-production)


Dir Lenny Abrahamson
The anticipated latest film from Abrahamson — who drew acclaim for What Richard Did, Garage and Adam & Paul — Frank is an offbeat comedy following an aspiring musician who joins a band led by the enigmatic Frank. Michael Fassbender — wearing a large plastic head — stars, alongside Domhnall Gleeson and Maggie Gyllenhaal. “What appealed to me about it was the potential it had when I read it for a certain kind of very joyful, playful filmmaking, which I love and haven’t had a chance to express in the last projects I’ve done really, because they’ve been very different animals,” Abrahamson says. Written by Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan, the film was shot in Ireland and New Mexico. Frank was produced by Element Pictures and Runaway Fridge, with backing from Film4, the BFI and the Irish Film Board. Artificial Eye has UK rights while Element Pictures will release in Ireland.

Screendaily

Frank is totally going to be bought at Cannes 2013

It's too bad that Michael Fassbender is not at Cannes promoting a film this year (um, the second year in a row, but who's counting?), but The Irish Film Board (website) will be there with a small army of Irish film supporters at their Irish Pavilion selling Irish Films and seeking financing, and 'Frank' is one of them. Take a look at their fancy Cannes Screening Flyer and you will note Frank on page 2, bottom left. With Michael Fassbender's name practically placing him in the A- range on the 'A-List' at the most (at the least, he's a solid B), Frank will surely be one of the Irish films that sell.

I wonder if there will be a moment in Frank where we will see Michael without the Frank head on? Maybe he'll have a quiet moment to himself where he's seen taking it off to go to bed, take a shower, or eating in private. I hope so, I can't imagine the producers not wanting to show a glimpse of that face, can you?

In 15 days I'll be in London and that very weekend, Hupsakeek and I will wander through Hackney. I've been there before, but it was in December, so it will be nice to visit during the late spring and actually lay out in London Fields too and spend much more quality time, and money in Broadway Mkt. Check out the wiki page for Hackney as well as the Hackney council website, and the Hackney area guide from London Time Out.

"Two of the finest actors of their generation"

Variety had a brief article about the recent announcement for Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman. While many Fassinators are feeling 'meh' about Portman playing Lady Macbeth, we're resigned to this casting decision and just greatly look forward to seeing this film because of Michael. According to Variety, this is going to be a hot production because it appears that all the ducks are in the row and settled with the primary casting, producing, financing, directing, distribution, etc. If filming starts by the Fall of this year, dare I expect this version of Macbeth to be at Cannes exactly a year from now? And I already know that Michael is going to be bloody (literally) fantastic as Macbeth, and if the boy can't get Oscar buzz from this, nothing will!

“We are very pleased to be financing ‘Macbeth’ which deftly brings contemporary themes to an iconic story,” said Studiocanal chairman-CEO Olivier Courson.


Canning and Sherman commented: “With Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman, we have two of the finest actors of their generation, playing two of the most celebrated roles of all time.” - Variety

By the way, to refresh my memory of Macbeth, last week I rented the 1978 BBC production of Macbeth featuring Ian McKellan and Judi Dench. It was a very BBCish production I'll tell you, so it definitely whetted my appetite for what Fassy can do as MacBeth. Which stage or film version of Macbeth is your favorite?

Regarding the poll about which actress you would like to see Michael work with again. Well, I'm sorry that I left off Kelly Reilly from 'Eden Lake'. She was absolutely brilliant in it, and they made a very handsome couple. She's a wonderful actress and she just slipped my mind when I created the poll. So if you want to vouch for her, say 'Aye' here.

Images of Michael Fassbender

What happened this past weekend is the last time such a situation will ever occur again. Short of having the true copyright holder of an image of Michael Fassbender instructing me to remove an image of the actor from Fassinating Fassbender (it's only happened once before), or the private/fan owner of their photo with Michael, I will not remove anymore images from Fassinating Fassbender. Some of you readers got a glimpse of the nasty side of being part of a fandom from comments from one source on Saturday. Let the public record show what transpired and I for one know I handled it as decently and professionally as possible. Fassinating Fassbender is MY blog, it's a fan blog, not a profit earning enterprise, so of course I run the show here! If anyone has any concerns or issues with my management of MY personal fan blog, or need to discuss something, I strongly suggest that you email me - that way you know I will read it because I will respond to you, regardless if it's a mean email or a friendly one. But comments posted here at FF that is attacking me or trying to tell me off or put me in my place, will be deleted. I know some people want to show the world their dissatisfaction with me or FF, and try to hijack a conversation by thinking they have a right to post on my blog their negative sentiments about me or this community. But posting rants and nonsense is not adding to the discussion topic, it's an off-topic rant  - akin to coming into my house, uninvited, to yell at me, that's unacceptable in the real world, and it's unacceptable here and it makes people uncomfortable- (Thank God for supportive FF friends xoxo) and it will be considered spam. So save yourself the time and just send me an email if you really want to get something off your chest to me, about me.

TGIF 510 (updated)

Update: With See-Saw’s Canning, Film4 is developing recently announced Cannes buzz script Macbeth, set to star Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman, and western Slow West - a co-production with Conor McCaughan’s DMC Film - from Pitch Black Heist writer-director John Maclean, which also has Fassbender’s interest and is tentatively scheduled to shoot in New Zealand and the UK at the end of the year. - Screendaily



Thank you for your votes in last Friday's poll asking if you would like to see FF at Facebook. The majority of you voted 'No', so we will not be expanding to Facebook. There were multiple reasons for considering doing so, but you know, I really have to have my own heart in believing in finding true value in that social media tool, and I don't. Sure, it would have exposed Fassinating Fassbender to a larger audience, which has it's pro and cons, but in our fifth year of praising all things Fassy, if people haven't found us yet, they ain't.

TGiFassy!

A Fandom Holiday



Because of this dude, I'm meeting some great people!

I consider myself very lucky to have generally enjoyed being a part of some fandoms. The one I have been affiliated with the longest is Pearl Jam, and the most interesting one has been the Michael Fassbender fanbase. However, in between these two, I spent a few years in the Lord of the Rings fandom. What do all of these fandoms have in common for me? I have friends from all of them, and I'm going to meet some people from each of these fandoms when I go to London & Paris in just 20 days, some for the first time!
Without boring you with too much details regarding my itinerary, here is the gist of what I'll be doing and with whom. The color codes for PJ, MF, LOTR will represent which fandom my friend is from:

30 May, Thursday (early evening) - depart for London
31 May, Friday - meet up with Marjan (aka Hupsakeek)- dinner at 34 restaurant
1 June, Saturday - Simone & Marjan in Hackney allllllllllllllllllllllll day!!!
2 June & 3 June, Sunday/Monday - Lucinda
4 June, Tuesday - head for Paris, meet up with Sorujaa - intro to Paris, garden walk, and dinner
5 June, Wednesday - spend the day doing traditional touristy stuff/Eiffel Tower, etc.
6 June, Thursday - I'll be at the Louvre for most of the day - I'm a museum lover
7 June, Friday - still in Paris, shopping, touring
8 June, Saturday - head back to London, hook up with Dee for dinner and a movie
9 June, Sunday - fly back home

So as you can see, I will be with friends almost on a daily basis, and when I'm not, I'll be perfectly well off on my own exploring. Also, prior to me going on vacation, I will have the pleasure of meeting a local Fassinator, Myriam Cronk. She lives near my old neighborhood in a suburb of Detroit, and we're going to meet up for lunch on Saturday, May 18th. We'll easily spot each other because we're going to be wearing our Keep Calm t-shirts when we meet up. After literally focusing on school since July 2012, I have the spring and summer to breathe and relax before my finale in the Fall, and I'm just so happy that I'm going to be meeting some lovely people for the first time, face to face.

Internet fandoms can be a bit strange at times, but for the most part, the participants are very nice people where in some unique cases, they become interested enough in each other to take the next step and meet offline. I'm really looking forward to hanging out with my new and old friends across the pond.

Irishmen are the Third Ugliest Dudes on Planet Earth...



Original Restored - better and unedited (Photo by Nino Munoz )

According to the blind and conceited nincompoops at beautifulpeople.com. But if you care to go to that website (here), don't waste your time unless you are ~*~BEAUTIFUL~*~ and are a member of that dating website. The Entertainment.ie website discovered the dating site and learned that there was a recent poll that listed Irishmen as the third ugliest men in the world. As you can imagine, they were pissed off, and I'm left scratching my head too. I mean really? The Irish website says that the dating website could "go and shite". Right on! And they also went ahead and pulled out their Fassbender and Farrell cards, and listed a few other rather drop dead gorgeous Irish dudes, namely two beautiful bitches named Colin O'Donoghue, and Aidan Turner. Go check out their show off proof list that Irish men don't deserve to be listed third ugliest men in the world.

Over the weekend at Pinterest, I posted a chat invite for Sunday at 1pm EST to view X-Men First Class. It was up for 24 hours, giving a decent amount of time for people who were interested and available to join, but in the end, it was only me and Barbara. But you know what, it was fine - she and I enjoyed watching First Class together, with six hours time difference between us and we were pretty much in sync in the actual viewing. Next time, I'm going to suggest to set up your DVD/Blu-ray, and freeze it at the opening credits and wait for all to enter so the same scene can be view simultaneously. Because with the more people in the future, the more challenging it will be to make sure we're all in sync. As the film ended, we were joined by Dionne and another person who poked their head in. We chatted a bit longer, but then I had to leave. So, what I would like to do is announce a film chat session at least 4 days in advance, and as long as there are two people that's fine, but the more the merrier, but the limit is at 10. And somehow, I don't think that will be a problem. The chats will occur on Saturdays or Sundays at 1pm EST to accommodate the 5-6 hour difference in Europe where most non-US chatters will hail from.

Thanks for voting in the FF at Facebook poll thus far. Once we get up to 100 votes, I will have a clear cut understanding of how to proceed. So please vote if you haven't yet. And yes, I have voted too. :)

Updated from twitter:

News around Hackney ‏@LovingDalston 2m @FassFass Mikey Fassbender is http://twitpic.com/76y7bt not bad-looking. Above all, he acts well.
Email Tweet Embed Tweet TwitPic

By News around Hackney @LovingDalston

TGiF 503

This year in September marks the fifth anniversary of Fassinating Fassbender. And along with recognizing that, I have changed the template of the blog and we've had our first successful fundraiser. Now I'm wondering if expansion to Facebook is something that is inevitable and if we should explore it. Please let me know your thoughts. I'm not a big fan of Facebook but I do realize that many people live and breathe by it. Would you utilize/like/subscribe to Fassinating Fassbender at Facebook?

TGifassy!

The Fassinating Fassbender Five

I have probably seen a few thousand images of Michael Fassbender. These include images from photoshoots, the red carpet, stills from films and interviews, paparazzi, candids, and fan photos. Over the weekend, some of you submitted your favorite Michael photo to comprise of the Top Ten, so today, Fassinating Fassbender is  revealing, The Five.

#5