HIS face has become one of the most instantly recognisable and in demand in the movie business but Killarney actor Michael Fassbender is covering it up with a bizarre papier-mâché box for his new film, Frank, which premiered in Dublin on Thursday night.
The Fossa man plays the lead role of Frank Sidebottom in Lenny Abrahamson’s comedy-drama which charts the lives and times of an eccentric rock band singer.
Fassbender, currently the hottest property in the film industry, said he was very comfortable wearing the giant mask and, in fact, it gave him the freedom to express himself in a different manner than what he was used to.
“I just put the head on and the rest did itself. It’s kind of fun,” he remarked.
The Oscar nominated star appeared on the Late Late Show this Friday night, alongside Frank director Abrahamson and co-star Domhnall Gleeson, in a pre-recorded interview with host Ryan Turbidy.
Abrahamson was also the director of the iconic 1999 television advertisement which saw Fassbender walking along packed streets to promote Mastercard.
Recalling that first meeting with the Fossa man, Abrahamson said: “I remember people saying oh he’s good. You kind of know straight away.”
He added: “I didn’t see Michael for a long time after that and I just remember seeing him in things and thinking I’d really like to work with him again.”
Fassbender, 37, availed of his visit to Dublin on Thursday to catch up with his parents, Josef and Adele, and they travelled from their Fossa home to spend some quality time together in the Merrion Hotel prior to the film premiere.
