While one of the most famous of William Shakespeare's monologues from Macbeth beings with "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow," today is the day you can see the latest trailer for Michael Fassbender as the ambivalent and tortured Scottish king.
Directed by Australian filmmaker Justin Kurzel and starring Oscar nominee Fassbender in the titular role, as well Oscar winner Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth, the latest take on one of Shakespeare's most psychologically incisive and dark tragedies brings us back to the basics. The historical accuracy of Kurzel's Macbeth elucidates the viscera of the bloody and bloodthirsty Dark Ages — like a more realistic, non-magical Game of Thrones.
This particular artistic choice is radically different from other interpretations of Macbeth, which have re-imagined the great Bard's story of treachery, political greed and lust for power in places as far as Bollywood's Mumbai (Maqbool) or in places as familiar as a fast food joint in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania (Scotland, PA).
Of course, this all makes sense, considering Macbeth actually existed: Shakespeare borrowed heavily from historical accounts and the 16th century's The Holinshed Chronicles – a largely circulated but inaccurate account of British history – about the 11th-century chieftan and military leader who ruled Scotland for 14 years, from 1040-1054.
2015 is proving to be a red letter year for Fassbender, whose upcoming turn as Steve Jobs in the eponymous biopic has received an overwhelming amount of hype.
Macbeth will also prove to be a litmus test for the working chemistry between Fassbender, Cotillard and Kurzel, with Fassbender having brought both the actress and the director on board for the film adaptation of Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed video game franchise. Set for release in December 2016, many have already begun to wonder whether the film will revolutionize the business of game-to-film adaptions as we know it.
Here is the official synopsis for the latest onscreen version of the dreaded "Scottish Play":
"From the producers of THE KING'S SPEECH comes the feature film adaptation of Shakespeare's play MACBETH about Scottish General Macbeth (Michael Fassbender) whose ambitious wife (Marion Cotillard) urges him to use wicked means in order to gain power of the throne over the sitting king."
Check out the trailer in the video below.
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