Michael Fassbender reflects on a moment where he felt supported by Gerad Butler while filming300. Before becoming widely known for playing Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto in numerousX-Menmovies, Fassbender played a supporting role in thecast of300. Heplayed Stelios, one of the 300 Spartan warriors who fight alongside King Leonidas(Butler) as they defend their home from King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and the invading Persian armies.
While looking back on his career in anEntertainment Weeklyvideo, 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 howButler ensured that he got to keep the line. 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.
What This Means For 300 & Michael Fassbender
Fassbender Keeping The Line Helped The Movie & His Career
“Then we will fight in the shade"is one of300’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 lineprovided more characterization for Stelios beyond his formidable abilities as a warrior. 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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The ending of Zack Snyder’s 300 hides some important themes and messages behind the film’s impressive action and some creative storytelling devices.
Beyond the positive impact that it had on thestory of300,the line made Fassbender more recognizable, and paved the way for many prominent rolesin the coming years. In addition to Magneto, who he first played inX-Men: First Class(2011), Fassbender went on to star in Ridley Scott’sAlienprequels,Prometheus(2012) andAlien: Covenant(2017). He also played the titular role inSteve Jobs(2015) and portrayed slave owner Edwin Epps in the Best Picture-winning12 Years a Slave(2013).
Our Take On Michael Fassbender’s Comments
They Speaks Volumes About Gerard Butler
Not all actors are able to fondly look back on their earliest movies.It is a testament to Butler that Fassbender is able to look back on300fondlyand to remember how he felt supported by the popular action star.300is 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.
