Michael Fassbender in an interview
He was born in Heidelberg, but does not speak a word German: Hollywood's shooting star Michael Fassbender about the fear of failure, his romantic streak - and why Cologne has conquered his heart.
Michael Fassbender - a distinctive guy
"Who is that?" Asks JOY correspondent Frances Schoenberger casually, as a bearded man appears in a crumpled jacket while waiting for the interview with Michael Fassbender at "Claridge's", one of the finest hotels in London.
Photo: Getty Images
"Everybody lets in these days, " jokes a colleague.
The style of Michael Fassbender shows the gallery.
It is - surprise! - Hollywood's new shooting star himself: He speaks with an Irish accent, looks very confident, absolutely "down to earth" and incredibly charming. His warm smile and intense eyes are immediately noticeable. Although the Heidelberg native does not look as good with his beard as he does without, he is undoubtedly surrounded by a special aura. No wonder that women fly on the 1.83 meter ram man. But that does not seem to interest him much. He is obsessed with his work, a workaholic.
JOY: You played up in no time. From August 9, 2012, you'll shine as a robot man in the science fiction blockbuster "Prometheus - Dark Signs". How has success changed your life?
Michael Fassbender: It depends on what goals you have in life - and I still want the same thing: to learn, to work with people who inspire me, spend time with people I love, and go more karting (laughs). I'm 35. Ten years ago, I would have been impressed by the celebrity. Today, that does not interest me anymore.
Fame is not necessarily what I enjoy very much. However, it was a great experience to stand next to Michael Schumacher at the Monaco Grand Prix as he got into his race car. That was a childhood dream of mine, of which I dreamed for 20 years.
Was acting a dream of yours?
No, I always wanted to become a guitarist in a heavy metal band. The first instrument I learned was a tin whistle, a flute from Irish folk music. Originally I wanted to play the violin, but that was too expensive for my parents. They encouraged me to the Schifferklavier because we had one at home anyway. The instrument was huge, my head almost disappeared behind it. I played with it for a few years.
As a teenager, guitar was added. It was an absolute key experience when one day Steven Hart, a good friend of mine, came to visit. While practicing together in the garage, he let go of such an impressive solo as I realized I should better come up with something different.
His masculine charisma makes women rave
You did not have enough talent for the music and you wanted to become an actor?
(laughs) Exactly. At school I was only mediocre. At first I thought I would become a lawyer. But I am a slow reader and difficult with the heavy files. Then it turned out that I'm not suitable as an architect either, because I had failed in technical drawing. When a former classmate who studied at the Irish theater school "Gaiety School of Acting" staged a piece at my college, I joined in and suddenly realized: That's exactly what I want!
How did your career get going?
At 19, I moved from Ireland to London to go to drama school. I still live there today. For years I've worked my way through with all sorts of jobs like bartenders. I just did not give up and believed in myself. The breakthrough came in 2007 when director Steve McQueen gave me the lead role in the prison drama Hunger, although I was totally unknown.
This director has pretty much turned your life upside down, right?
Yes, Steve McQueen is a genius - I love him. Last year, I did the drama "Shame" with him, in which as a sex addict I dropped all the covers. Our next project is the slave drama "Twelve Years A Slave", in which Brad Pitt also plays. Unfortunately, I fear to fail again before every movie.
Do you have any philosophy of life?
Yes, treat others the way you want to be treated. Everyone wants to be accepted and loved. It probably sounds cheesy, but we should all love each other more.
Speaking of love: What does a woman have to have for you?
I like strong women like my friend Nicole. I like her self-confidence, she is an equal partner.
Her parents have been married for 38 years. What about marriage?
In my job, it's difficult to have a relationship, let alone being married. But I'm a romantic: Sitting in the garden or enjoying a sunset by the sea is always nice for two.
You were born in Heidelberg. Do you speak German?
Unfortunately not. My parents, both fluent in German, wanted to teach me - in vain. My mother is Irish, my father German. They met in London and went to Heidelberg together. When I was two, we moved to Ireland. As long as my German grandparents were still alive, I often spent the holidays with them as a child. The city of Cologne I think great, the bohemian flair there is unique!
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