Michael Fassbender reflects on a moment where he felt supported by Gerad Butler while filming . Before becoming widely known for playing Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto in numerous X-Men movies, Fassbender played a supporting role in the cast of 300. He (Butler) as they defend their home from King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and the invading Persian armies.
While looking back on his career in an Entertainment Weekly video, Fassbender looks back on his iconic line "Then we will fight in the shade," which is said in response to a dying Persian soldier's words about their arrows blotting out the sun. He reflects on how . Fassbender explains that many lead actors would have taken the line for themselves, but Butler never did, and always supported his co-star. Check out his comments below:
Gerry was great to me on that film because he could've said, "I like that line, I want it for my character." But I was allowed to keep it, and it's always nice when the lead has got your back, and he did.
"Then we will fight in the shade" is one of 300's most memorable quotes, which makes it all the more meaningful that Fassbender was the one to deliver it. Butler is the face of the film, but he did not need to take all the best lines and moments for himself. Instead, Fassbender got a moment to shine, and this line . It was a reminder of the unique personalities and humanity behind each Spartan warrior and that they were more than their fighting prowess.
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Beyond the positive impact that it had on the story of 300, in the coming years. In addition to Magneto, who he first played in X-Men: First Class (2011), Fassbender went on to star in Ridley Scott's Alien prequels, Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017). He also played the titular role in Steve Jobs (2015) and portrayed slave owner Edwin Epps in the Best Picture-winning 12 Years a Slave (2013).
Not all actors are able to fondly look back on their earliest movies. and to remember how he felt supported by the popular action star. 300 is largely remembered for its spectacle, but one of the more underrated elements that makes the movie work so well is the camaraderie among the Spartan warriors. It is heartening to know that this camaraderie went beyond the fictional story and could be felt among the movie's stars, regardless of their experience.
Source: EW/YouTube
