MACBETH trailer sees Fassbender putting on the crown in Shakespeare adaptation

Michael Fassbender embodies Macbeth in first trailer for the film

Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of film adaptations attempting to translate Shakepeare’s written works into on-screen masterpieces. That said, the first trailer for the Michael Fassbender-starring Macbeth makes the movie look like a strong period piece power struggle, and Fassbender appears to be giving the performance the emotional range and empathy we’ve come to expect from the guy. Whether you’re a fan of the man himself, the playwright behind the source material, these kind of medieval movies, or outstanding teasers for upcoming films, it’s worth giving the trailer a watch.

Check out the first trailer, read a synopsis, and see some posters for Macbeth after the jump.

As a fair-weather Shakespeare fan, I’m still not sure I’m sold on the film (which feels terrible to say). I have a hard time following literal adaptations of the original works when the words are flying by on the screen, and I can’t be alone. From what we see in the trailer, there’s a good chance Shakespeare’s dialogue is unaltered, and that’s a mixed bag in my book. At least it’s not an updated, modern telling of the tale, right? Only time will tell how this one is received by audiences, but the trailer looks promising.

Here’s an official bare-bones movie plot synopsis for Macbeth that’s been accompanying the trailer:

From the Academy Award® winning producers of The King’s Speech and acclaimed director Justin Kurzel, comes a visceral and visually breath-taking retelling of the classic tale about an ambitious Scottish lord who seizes the throne with the help of his wife. Starring Academy Award® nominee Michael Fassbender and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard, MACBETH is an epic cinematic experience.

And, for those unfamiliar with the source material, here’s a little more of the plot pulled (shamefully) from the play’s Wikipedia page:

Macbeth is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, and tells the story of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne for himself.

Macbeth stars Michael Fassbender in the titular role, and he’s surrounded by familiar faces like Marion Cotillard, Paddy Considine, David Thewlis, Sean Harris, Elizabeth Debicki, and Jack Raynor. The movie was directed by Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders, Assassins Creed (2016)), and, while it has yet to secure a US release date, you can catch Macbeth in theaters in the UK on October 7, 2015.

Official posters haven’t necessarily been released to the public yet, but here are two that were spotted at Cannes earlier this year: