20 Essential Movie Performances That Will Define 2015

14. Michael Fassbender - Steve Jobs (Steve Jobs)

Release Date: October 9 (US), November 13 (UK) The Movie: Danny Boyle directs a script from Aaron Sorkin that revolves around three iconic Apple product launches, led by the company's forward-thinking genius himself, Steve Jobs. The Role: Fassbender plays Jobs in a role that was originally circled by both Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film will reportedly examine Jobs' personal and professional successes (and probably a little of his less-glamourous failures, too), and though Fassbender's resemblance to the man isn't great, he's still a superb choice. Why It'll Define 2015: There's a strong chance this will result in Fassbender's second Oscar nomination to date, and given that he's playing an important figure of very recent history, the film as a whole will likely pick up greater general interest than a lot of the year's awards fare.