Michael Fassbender Movie Roles: Characters from History and Literature

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By Rianne Hill Soriano, Yahoo! Contributor Network
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Before "X-Men: First Class" star Michael Fassbender became Erik Lensherr/Magneto, he was mainly a TV star who got his motion picture break through the epic film "300." Since then, this character actor has been playing a variety of roles, most of which have significant parts in history and literature. As a fast-rising star, his level of fame continues to provide him roles that really diversify his filmography.

Stelios in "300" (2007)

Based on the Frank Miller graphic novel of the same title, "300" was inspired by the historical Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece. Apart from the iconic stature that Gerard Butler as King Leonidas and Lena Heady as Queen Gorgo achieved in the movie, Michael Fassbender's Stelios also reached a certain prestige and reputation. He got that Spartan warrior charm with some of the most memorable quotes in the movie, which includes the historical line "Then we will fight in the shade." Rendering that deadly warrior look with a boyish charm, Stelios was also one of the most prioritized roles in the movie in terms of characterization, screen time, and fight scenes.

Esme in "Angel" (2007)

"Angel" was based on the Elizabeth Taylor book about the life of the fiery, passionate, eccentric, and promising young writer Angel Deverell. When she became an accomplished author who rose above her class through her frothy romances, she met Esme, an aristocrat and artist with a dark temperament who got smitten by her unconventional charm. Romola Garai plays the role of Angel, while Fassbender plays Esme.

Bobby Sands in "Hunger" (2008)

Fassbender starred as the Irish Republican Army hunger striker Bobby Sands in "Hunger." This film focused on the last six weeks of his life during the 1981 Irish hunger strike. Director Steve McQueen won the Camera d'Or for first-time filmmakers at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival for this cinematic piece.

Burke in "Jonah Hex" (2010)

"Jonah Hex" was a motion picture adaptation of the post-Civil War antihero and Western comic book of the same title. This published piece from DC Comics was a collaboration between writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga. For its film rendition, Josh Brolin took over the titular role. It also starred John Malkovich as Quentin Turnbull, Megan Fox as Lilah, and Fassbender as Burke, Turnbull's psychotic right-hand man who took pleasure in killing and tormenting people.

Edward Rochester in "Jane Eyre" (2011)

"Jane Eyre," the famous and influential novel by Charlotte Bronte, featured the life of the governess of Thornfield Hall named Jane Eyre. This character played by Mia Wasikowska found love with the enigmatic character Edward Rochester, which was played by Fassbender. The story explored her life's challenges, her beliefs and convictions, and her love for Mr. Rochester.

Carl Jung in "A Dangerous Method" (2011)

Fassbender played the role of the Swiss psychologist and influential thinker Carl Jung in the historical film "A Dangerous Method." He partnered with Viggo Mortensen who played the role of the Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud. Interestingly, while Fassbender had his iconic moment as Stelios in the epic "300," Mortensen's Aragorn was also an iconic character in the epic films of "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy." The two actors relived the intense relationship between Jung and Freud as they founded psychoanalysis.