First images from Macbeth featuring Michael Fassbender & Marion Cotillard

The Daily Mail has posted the first images from the new big screen version of William Shakespeare's MACBETH from director Justin Kurzel (SNOWTOWN), giving us a great look at the Michael Fassbender as the title character and Marion Cotillard as Lady Macbeth. The Daily Mail also spoke with Fassbender about his thoughts on the Macbeth character, which you can check out after the images.

"Let not light see my black and deep desires."

Michael Fassbender on Macbeth:

He’s suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. It makes total sense, when you think about it. Justin set the seed of the idea in my head. This trauma is something we know about. In World War I they called it battle fatigue, and it was probably more horrific in Macbeth’s days, when they were killing with their bare hands, and driving a blade through bodies. He’s having these hallucinations, and he needs to return to the violence to find some sort of clarity, or peace.

On Macbeth's relationship with his wife:

He’d been away fighting and when he returns, we see it’s a relationship that’s broken down. They lost a child, and there wasn’t time for them to grieve because he’s been away campaigning. Lady M is desperate for that reconnection, and briefly they do. And, of course, the doorway has been opened to darkness and to violence. He’s wary of doing it, but Lady M bolsters him, and tells him to garner his strength.

On if Macbeth is evil:

I always have a problem with that word. It never gives me any information, or helps me in any way. I like to find a character’s motivation. I don’t think Macbeth is evil. I think he’s damaged. When we meet him, he’s a man who’s as good as his circumstances will allow. He serves his king loyally and looks after his soldiers.

Justin Kurzel's MACBETH sounds like it'll be an interesting take on the Bard's play, and both Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard should do a great job portraying the famous couple. Very interested in seeing this new version of MACBETH.

MACBETH also stars Paddy Considine, David Thewlis, Sean Harris and David Hayman, and will be released sometime in 2015.