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Michael Fassbender hits high notes in film

Michael Fassbender is on a roll. Over the past few years, he's starred in critically acclaimed art-house flicks, big-budget superhero movies and classic period pieces. Now, he's grabbing the spotlight again for the brutal and buzzworthy '12 Years a Slave,' with critics predicting he might nab his first Oscar nomination. And strangely enough, Fassbender's first credited acting role was 12 years ago -- maybe he's found his new lucky number.
Michael Fassbender is on a roll. Over the past few years, he's starred in critically acclaimed art-house flicks, big-budget superhero movies and classic period pieces. Now, he's grabbing the spotlight again for the brutal and buzzworthy '12 Years a Slave,' with critics predicting he might nab his first Oscar nomination. And strangely enough, Fassbender's first credited acting role was 12 years ago -- maybe he's found his new lucky number.
Stan Godlewski, USA TODAY
In 2006, a little-known Fassbender snagged the role of a fierce Spartan in '300,' the epic Zack Snyder action movie. American audiences were finally introduced to the finely chiseled German-Irish actor.
In 2006, a little-known Fassbender snagged the role of a fierce Spartan in '300,' the epic Zack Snyder action movie. American audiences were finally introduced to the finely chiseled German-Irish actor.
Warner Bros. Pictures
In 2008, Fassbender starred in 'Hunger,' the directorial debut of Steve McQueen. The film instantly won critical praise and solidified a friendship between the two. Here they arrive at the premiere for '12 Years a Slave' (which McQueen also directed) at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In 2008, Fassbender starred in 'Hunger,' the directorial debut of Steve McQueen. The film instantly won critical praise and solidified a friendship between the two. Here they arrive at the premiere for '12 Years a Slave' (which McQueen also directed) at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Chris Pizzello, Invision/AP
Still racking up indie-film cred, Fassbender starred in the little-seen but critically adored 'Fish Tank,' opposite Katie Jarvis in 2009.
Still racking up indie-film cred, Fassbender starred in the little-seen but critically adored 'Fish Tank,' opposite Katie Jarvis in 2009.
Holly Horner, AP
Fassbender once again played an ancient soldier for 2010's 'Centurion.' The film is forgettable, but it was another chance for the actor to play the lead role.
Fassbender once again played an ancient soldier for 2010's 'Centurion.' The film is forgettable, but it was another chance for the actor to play the lead role.
Magnet Releasing
Superhero time! Fassbender played villain Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto, in the film 'X-Men: First Class.' The movie also boasted a stellar cast, including James McAvoy, (right foreground), Caleb Landry Jones, (left), Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult and Lucas Till.
Superhero time! Fassbender played villain Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto, in the film 'X-Men: First Class.' The movie also boasted a stellar cast, including James McAvoy, (right foreground), Caleb Landry Jones, (left), Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult and Lucas Till.
Murray Close, 20th Century Fox
Fassbender straps on Magneto's iconic helmet.
Fassbender straps on Magneto's iconic helmet.
Murray Close 20th Century Fox
That's Fassbender hiding behind a mask while promoting the upcoming movie 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' at Comic-Con in June. But it looks like co-stars Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult all had a laugh.
That's Fassbender hiding behind a mask while promoting the upcoming movie 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' at Comic-Con in June. But it looks like co-stars Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult all had a laugh.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
For the most part, Fassbender hasn't experienced a lot of film flops. But then 2010's 'Jonah Hex' ruined his winning streak. The critically panned film, starring Josh Brolin as the titular Hex, was about a bounty hunter fighting a terrorist hellbent on destroying the world.
For the most part, Fassbender hasn't experienced a lot of film flops. But then 2010's 'Jonah Hex' ruined his winning streak. The critically panned film, starring Josh Brolin as the titular Hex, was about a bounty hunter fighting a terrorist hellbent on destroying the world.
Warner Bros. Pictures
But he bounced back. The actor played Carl Jung opposite Viggo Mortensen as Sigmund Freud in 2011's 'A Dangerous Method.'
But he bounced back. The actor played Carl Jung opposite Viggo Mortensen as Sigmund Freud in 2011's 'A Dangerous Method.'
Sony Pictures Classics
Fassbender also lent his acting chops to another iconic role, playing Rochester in 2011's 'Jane Eyre.'
Fassbender also lent his acting chops to another iconic role, playing Rochester in 2011's 'Jane Eyre.'
Laurie Sparham, Focus Features
The tipping point: His role as a tortured sex addict in Steve McQueen's 'Shame' in 2011 landed him a Golden Globe nomination for best actor, with many critics wondering why he didn't also earn an Oscar nomination. The film solidified Fassbender's status as a deserving, serious actor.
The tipping point: His role as a tortured sex addict in Steve McQueen's 'Shame' in 2011 landed him a Golden Globe nomination for best actor, with many critics wondering why he didn't also earn an Oscar nomination. The film solidified Fassbender's status as a deserving, serious actor.
Abbot Genser, Fox Searchlight Pictures
But enough about that -- back to the big-budget flicks! He starred in 2012's 'Prometheus,' a Ridley Scott-directed sci-fi story about a space crew trying to discover the origins of humanity.
But enough about that -- back to the big-budget flicks! He starred in 2012's 'Prometheus,' a Ridley Scott-directed sci-fi story about a space crew trying to discover the origins of humanity.
20th Century Fox
Looks like the lads love Fassbender as much as the ladies. The actor signs autographs for fans at the London premiere of 'Prometheus' in May 2012.
Looks like the lads love Fassbender as much as the ladies. The actor signs autographs for fans at the London premiere of 'Prometheus' in May 2012.
Joel Ryan AP
Ouch! Fassbender takes a fake kick from 'Prometheus' co-star Charlize Theron as they present the award for best fight at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards.
Ouch! Fassbender takes a fake kick from 'Prometheus' co-star Charlize Theron as they present the award for best fight at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards.
Matt Sayles, INVISION/AP
Fassbender stars opposite a long-haired Brad Pitt in October's 'The Counselor.' He plays the titular Counselor in a film that boasts a slew of big names, including Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and Javier Bardem.
Fassbender stars opposite a long-haired Brad Pitt in October's 'The Counselor.' He plays the titular Counselor in a film that boasts a slew of big names, including Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and Javier Bardem.
Kerry Brown, 20th Century Fox
Now that's an A-list crew. Fassbender sidles up to Penelope Cruz, Ridley Scott and Javier Bardem at the U.K. premiere of 'The Counselor' in early October.
Now that's an A-list crew. Fassbender sidles up to Penelope Cruz, Ridley Scott and Javier Bardem at the U.K. premiere of 'The Counselor' in early October.
Jon Furniss, Invision/AP
He's the man of the hour at 'GQ,' landing on the November cover of the magazine and attending an event hosted by the publication in October.
He's the man of the hour at 'GQ,' landing on the November cover of the magazine and attending an event hosted by the publication in October.
Evan Agostini, Invision/AP
And now, the movie of the hour. Fassbender plays a sadistic slave owner in the much-buzzed-about '12 Years a Slave,' opposite Lupita Nyong'o and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
And now, the movie of the hour. Fassbender plays a sadistic slave owner in the much-buzzed-about '12 Years a Slave,' opposite Lupita Nyong'o and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Francois Duhamel, AP
Off-screen, there's nothing but love between Fassbender and Ejiofor, who are both getting serious Oscar buzz.
Off-screen, there's nothing but love between Fassbender and Ejiofor, who are both getting serious Oscar buzz.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY
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