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Michael Fassbender in Talks for Brady Corbet’s Next Film, Rumored “The Origin of the World”

5/16/2026, 8:20:27 PM

Fassbender Negotiated for Lead Role in Corbet’s Upcoming Feature

Variety reports that Michael Fassbender is in negotiations to join director Brady Corbet’s next mystery-shrouded project, tentatively titled “The Origin of the World.” The film is described as an X-rated, genre-defying work that primarily takes place in the 1970s while spanning from the 19th century to the present day. No official casting confirmation has been released.

Recent Success Fuels Ambitious Follow-up

Corbet’s 2024 epic The Brutalist earned ten Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. The director, a two-time Oscar nominee and four-time BAFTA nominee, previously helmed *The Childhood of a Leader*, *Vox Lux*, and *The Brutalist*. The new project follows that critical momentum and is expected to continue his reputation for unconventional storytelling.

Principal Participants

  • Brady Corbet – writer-director, partner of filmmaker Mona Fastvold.
  • Michael Fassbender – actor currently promoting the South Korean sci-fi thriller *Hope* at Cannes and recent releases *Black Bag*, *Kneecap*, and the series *The Agency: Central Intelligence*.
  • David Kaplan & Andrew Morrison – producers operating under the Kaplan Morrison banner.
  • Selena Gomez – name has appeared in reports as a potential cast member, though no confirmation exists.

Production Details and Technical Choices

Corbet has disclosed that the film will be shot on rare eight-perf 65 mm cameras, a format seldom used in contemporary productions. The director emphasizes a “genre-defying” approach, blending historical periods with explicit adult content. The narrative focus is the 1970s, with additional scenes set across earlier and later decades.

Data & Accolades

  • *The Brutalist*: 10 Oscar nominations (Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, among others).
  • Corbet’s personal honors: two Oscar nominations, four BAFTA nominations.

Official Statements from the Director

Corbet told reporters that the project “would be an X-rated movie that took place mostly in the 1970s” and that “the film spans from the 19th century into the present day — it’s just predominantly focused on the ’70s.” He added that the work is “really, really genre-defying,” underscoring its unconventional scope.

Criticism & Opposition

No public criticism or organized opposition to the project has been documented in the available sources.

Conflicting Reports & Information Gaps

  • The working title “The Origin of the World” remains unverified.
  • Selena Gomez’s involvement is reported only by rumor.
  • Production schedule, filming locations, and a release window have not been disclosed.
  • Details of the plot beyond the period setting are absent.

Verbatim Quotes

  • “Speaking in late 2025, he said that it would be an X-rated movie that took place mostly in the 1970s.” — Brady Corbet, Director
  • “Popular on Variety “The film spans from the 19th century into the present day — it’s just predominantly focused on the ’70s.” — Brady Corbet, Director
  • “The film is really, really genre-defying,” he said.” — Brady Corbet, Director

Upcoming Production Milestones

Corbet’s team plans to commence principal photography using the eight-perf 65 mm format later in 2026, pending final casting decisions. Fassbender’s participation will be confirmed once negotiations conclude, after which further details on distribution and festival screenings are expected to follow.