Michael Fassbender will not campaign for the Academy Awards this year for his performance in "12 Years A Slave."
In the latest issue of GQ the German actor said that he was not a poilitician and that he had no intention of being on the campaign trail. He stated, "You know, I get it. Everybody's got to do their job. So you try and help and facilitate as best you can. But I won't put myself through that kind of situation again. It's just a grind. And I'm not a politician. I'm an actor."
He added, "I'm going to be busy working. I just don't really have time." The actor is set to star in a new adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" alongside Marion Cotillard. Production is set to start in the next month and the film will be shot in New Zealand.
Fassbender is no stranger to awards season. In 2011, he campaigned for his role in Steve McQueen's "Shame" but was ultimately not nominated for an Oscar. However, he was recognized by the Golden Globes and BAFTA awards. This year the actor is being hailed as the front-runner to win the Best Supporting Actor category for his turn as Edwin Epps in "12 Years A Slave." However, with his comments he could ultimately lose voters.
Fassbender is the latest actor to speak out against awards season. Last year Joaquin Phoenix attacked the Academy stating, its "total, utter [Expletive], and I don't want to be a part of it. I don't believe in it. It's a carrot, but it's the worst-tasting carrot I've ever tasted in my whole life. I don't want this carrot. It's totally subjective. Pitting people against each other ... it's the stupidest thing in the whole world."
Despite his attacks, Phoenix still received an Oscar nomination for his work in "The Master."