Be honest, Michael Fassbender, are you arrogant? Cosmopolitan (Germany) Iss. November 2015, Interview by Melanie Jassner Every month Melanie Jassner meets men, who we find gorgeous. This time it's the most talented IrishGerman of Hollywood One thing is certain: Everyone who likes intense films can't get around one man any longer, Michael Fassbender, 38. Since director Steve McQueen shot the Irish-German with the much acclaimed film ‘Hunger’ into Hollywood's heaven, he shines there as a really bright star. He impressed as a lieutenant in 'Inglourious Basterds', as a sex addict in 'Shame' and as a slaveholder in '12 Years a Slave' - for which he received an Oscar nomination. That he's able to turn Shakespeare into an event he demonstrates as the regicide in a modern cinema version of ‘Macbeth’. How is a man who constantly plays madmen? Totally easy-going. For the interview in a luxurious London hotel the redhead wears in a blue t-shirt, blue white striped shorts and flip flops. Mr. Fassbender, you look as if you’ve come straight from a holiday... (laughs) The reason might be that today I was able to sleep a little bit longer. I'm not able to do that very often, because I'm shooting so many films. I think, I sometimes saddle myself with too much. But I'm so hungry to act. I had to wait very long to get good roles. To refuse them now would be madness. No, don't do that. Each film you do is more brilliant than the one before. At the moment you're fascinating the audience as the military leader and king Macbeth. Was playing Shakespeare an ambition? No it wasn't. But every actor should do it at least once. It's a huge challenge something like a practical test. And the subjects are still modern With Macbeth it’s war trauma, greed for power... ... and the power of love. The big one. Have you experienced it? Let's put it this way, I think it can happen. Do you have the potential for being king? Definitely. No! I am not an alpha male. OK, if I really want something I'll fight for it. But always with the following motto in mind: treat others as you wish to be treated. I want to delve deep into life and its many facets. That wouldn't be possible as a king. And most of them are not known that they are surfing. Is it true that you are learning? Yes, learning is the right word. I'm still abysmal bad. You wouldn't think how many surfers I have exasperated because I was in their way. So it’s better to put you on a motorbike? Reportedly your big hobby. Absolutely! I love it. My father and I drove through Europe some years back. We want to do another trip soon. This time maybe to South America. A typical guy's trip? No women are definitely welcome. We love the company of women. Is there a woman, who has a strong influence on your life? Actually two. My mother made acting palatable for me with her love for US films from the 70s and weird guys. 'The Godfather' is still one of my favourites. And my older sister was during my teenage years something like an ego booster. She took me along everywhere. Now she has two sons. I really do admire how she manages her job and being a mother. Does family help despite the Hollywood hype not to become an arrogant upstart? Definitely, but the danger to loose my grounding doesn't exist, because I'm not resting on my success. In my opinion, one is only as good as one's next film.

In your current film the witches prophecy Macbeth that he will become king. Has someone predicted that you will become a great actor? No. I never really saw myself as particularly talented. When I was 17 and at theatre school, I suddenly realised where I belong. After that came tonnes of hard work. I didn't receive any recognition until I appeared in ‘Hunger’ at the age of 31. But to return to the prophecies: recently I was in San Francisco and went to a tarot card reading. I didn't want to but my escort insisted until I gave in. I'm not allowed to tell the outcome. Of course it wasn't all positive and now all those worries are swirling around in my mind. Awful! I'm never doing it again. I don't want to know what the future brings. Then let us change to the past. You grew up in Ireland... When I recall the scent of my childhood I have the smell of rain and grass in my nose. I constantly climbed trees. And fell down from them? Yes. I once fell down from a fir tree about 10 metres, luckily the twigs caught me before the ground. But my right eye sight was permanently in danger, all the time something flew into it. Once a boy threw a stick into my face. It barely missed my eye and it hit me here. (Fassbender points at a spot just below his right eye) I have the scar to prove it. (He leans over the table to show it. 'Do you see it?' Our heads nearly collide. 'It is very small.' 'I'm still searching.' 'It healed well' Fassbender explains.) Being lucky. Definitely. I'm often a clumsy fellow especially if I'm trying to be cool. That nothing more has happened yet is a miracle. It seems you yourself would make a good draft for a film. Ever thought to make a film about your life? You have your own production company. Good idea. It would be certainly a comedy. With my pal James McAvoy in the leading role. The film would start and a pub and it would end there as well. I always like go for a drink and six years ago I wanted to open a club with a friend here in Soho. We had all the papers but then the neighbours voted against it. Is it true that you said failure is a part of life? Yes it is. Recently I read an article which explained it very well. A professor explained that rubbers the children use at school are devil's work because we are trained from early on always to be perfect. What if something is wrong? You receive no points. Transferred to life it means that every step on our way is an important part of what defines us. Ever regretted a mistake? No I think that's a waste of time. What has happened, has happened. In the best case you can learn from it. If you fear to make mistakes you stop moving out of your comfort zone. But only if you do that you can surprise yourself. Better to fall flat on my face then to sit silently in a corner. Readers question Have you ever thought about moving to Hollywood? No, Europe is my home. Whether Italian, Spanish, British or Irish we all have a long history. That connects us even if we tick completely different. I miss this feeling when I work in the USA.

Fassinating Fassbender 10.23.15 Shared by LG Christine