For almost ten years, Assassin’s Creed players have been able to explore the conflict between the Assassins and the Templar Knights through multiple time periods across several different video games. Although Michael Fassbender is starring in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed film, he recently admitted that he had never actually played the games until after he had been approached for the adaptation. But that doesn’t take away from his looking badass as hell in this new, official image.

“I hadn’t played it before these guys approached me,” said Fassbender during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “I’ve played it since [being offered the job] mainly to get an idea of the physicality of the character.”

And Fassbender knows that video game fans are nothing if not obsessive about their beloved series. “We’re striving to find something special,” he added. “We believe the whole concept around it is special and want to service that the best we can. The fans are really passionate: very specific and they expect accuracy and historical detail. We’re really trying to capitalize and feed on and enjoy the fun element. We’re working hard to make this something special.”

EW also debuted a new photo from the Assassin’s Creed movie that features Fassbender and actress Ariane Labed. While it’s currently unknown whom Labed will portray in the film, Fassbender is playing an original character named Callum Lynch, inspired by the protagonists of the Assassin’s Creed games. Much like his counterparts in the games, Callum Lynch will experience the memories of his ancestor, Aguilar (also played by Fassbender), an Assassin in 15th century Spain.

Marion Cotillard, Michael K. Williams, Jeremy Irons, and Brendan Gleeson will also co-star in Assassin’s Creed, slated for release on December 21, 2016.

What do you think about the new picture from the set of Assassin’s Creed? Share your thoughts below!

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Image Credits: Ubisoft/20th Century Fox