Michael Fassbender's Killer Revelation: The Challenge of Fingertip Push-Ups
Michael Fassbender's revelation about his fingertip push-up skills and his compelling performance in The Killer shed light on the challenges and dedication behind his portrayal of the assassin character.
The Fingertip Push-Up Revelation
Michael Fassbender & Carey Mulligan | Actors on Actors
The Killer star Michael Fassbender has revealed a skill he told the filmmakers he has, which ended up making a scene in the movie much harder for him to film. The start of the thriller sees Fassbender's unnamed assassin character patiently waiting for an opportune moment to take out his target. Part of his preparation involves doing push-ups on his fingertips, something the actor had to do on camera.
Michael Fassbender as the Killer looking straight ahead and inside a taxi in The Killer
During an Actors on Actors conversation for Variety, Fassbender revealed that he told The Killer's filmmakers that he could do 100 push-ups on his fingertips. The actor's recollection, which starts at 13:20, reveals that he ended up doing more than double the number he said he could, regretting the decision because of how difficult it wound up being.
Oh my God! Well, I did say to them, I was like, 'I think I've got about 100 [push-ups on my fingertips] in me'.... Not consecutively, you know what I mean? It's like do 10, 10. But then I ended up - and I could go like, 'never let the truth get in the way of a good story' - but I'm pretty sure I did 260. I can't remember. I remember regretting telling them that I could do it!
Fassbender's Compelling Performance
Beyond his ability to do fingertip push-ups, Fassbender's performance allowed all six chapters of The Killer to slowly reveal more about the character as his quest for revenge becomes more personal. While he maintains a level of calculated calm throughout the movie, he begins making mistakes as he becomes more emotionally involved with his mission. This is emphasized by the actor's performance, as the hired gun tries to maintain impartiality.
The movie also made its deaths feel important to his character, something the actor manages to bring to life. The Killer's multiple murders become justified to the character because of the consequences of his failure to complete the mission at the start successfully. Fassbender's ability to maintain the level-headed persona of his assassin character indicates how important it was for him to be in the lead role.
While Fassbender's performance in The Killer didn't hinge on his ability to do fingertip push-ups, his dedication to the role also reveals why he was so perfect for it. By bringing a darkly memorable main character to life, the actor shows how important all the assassin's actions are to define his version of perfection. This makes it all the more engaging to watch as the assassin becomes a target of his own and sets out on his quest for revenge.
Director David Fincher initially wanted Brad Pitt to star in The Killer, but the actor turned it down because of how dark the film is.
The Killer's Impact
Fassbender's ability to maintain the level-headed persona of his assassin character indicates how important it was for him to be in the lead role. The Killer's impact is further emphasized by the actor's performance, as the hired gun tries to maintain impartiality. The movie also made its deaths feel important to his character, something the actor manages to bring to life.
The Killer's multiple murders become justified to the character because of the consequences of his failure to complete the mission at the start successfully. Fassbender's dedication to the role also reveals why he was so perfect for it. By bringing a darkly memorable main character to life, the actor shows how important all the assassin's actions are to define his version of perfection. This makes it all the more engaging to watch as the assassin becomes a target of his own and sets out on his quest for revenge.
Michael Fassbender's compelling performance in The Killer sheds light on the challenges and dedication behind his portrayal of the assassin character. His ability to do fingertip push-ups and maintain the calculated calm of his character adds depth and authenticity to the story. The Killer's impact is further highlighted by the actor's ability to make the deaths feel important to his character, ultimately showcasing the intricate layers of the thriller.
Source: Variety/YouTube
