Michael Fassbender who portrays Apple co-founder in Danny Boyle's new biopic "Steve Jobs," which is set to be launched this month has revealed the details to molding his impression of the tech pioneer.
Fassbender of "Macbeth" fame is not the first actor to depict the eccentric character of Jobs. In 2013, Ashton Kutcher played Jobs, in a film of the same title.
During a media gathering recently at the New York Film Festival where Boyle's film screened, Fassbender took a jab at Kutcher's performance, according to the Guardian. The "12-Years A Slave" star told reporters with a sarcastic smirk, "I studied Ashton Kutcher," when asked how he prepared for his role as Jobs.
Since the biopic premiered at the Telluridde Film Festival, the series has grown in popularity in comparison to the film "Jobs," with critiques saying Fassbender's performance should be considered for Oscar nominations.
The response to Fassbender's performance is in contrast to the initial reaction, when it was announced that Fassbender would play the lead, with many saying the "Shame" actor did not resemble the tech tycoon. That same factor did trouble Fassbender, who admitted to media that he told Boyle, "Batman Begins" actor Christian Bale looked more the part.
In order to prepare for his role Fassbender revealed the secret was spending time with those who associated with Jobs, which left a deep impression on him. He told reporters he spent time with former Apple CEO John Sculley, as well as Jobs's friend Joanna Hoffman, co-creators of the original Macintosh computer, Steve Wozniak and Andy Hertzfeld.
Fassbender revealed that while gathering as much information about Jobs' character for his role what resonated with him was, "How much of an impression he made on these people. You could see that he was still very much present in their lives. Even if the relationships were difficult, there was sadness and a love there for him that I felt was pretty clear."
The actor said it is the essence and the energy of Jobs that is portrayed in the biopic, rather than a focus on physical similarities.
While the "Steve Jobs" biopic does not unfold like a conventional tale tracing the roots of the Apple tycoon since childhood, rather, it focuses on three major events in the co-founder's life which are used as platforms from which viewers are given openings to view Jobs' professional and personal relationships, Variety reports.
"Steve Jobs" will open in the United States to the public on Oct 23.