Michael Fassbender Enters The Animus In Assassin's Creed Clip

Fans of the Assassin's Creed video game series know all about the Animus, a machine that grants users access to the memories of their ancestors. In the game, it's basically a chair, but a new clip from the upcoming movie adaptation reveals that the Animus has received an upgrade.

In the new footage, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) is strapped into the enormous machine against his will, and the Animus uses a massive claw to lift him into the air. (Let's see your VR headset do that.)

The movie follows Callum, a death row inmate who is recruited to enter the Animus and relive the life of his ancestor Aguilar, who lived in Spain during the 15th century. Before long, he learns that he's descended from a cryptic society called the Assassins, and Callum winds up in the middle of an epic war with the Templars.

Fassbender reunites with his Macbeth director Justin Kurzel and co-star Marion Cotillard for the film, which also features Jeremy Irons and Brendan Gleeson. The movie arrives in theaters Dec. 21.