Film will be called “The Fifth Estate” and will be directed by Bill Condon

Jan 23, 2013 13:31 GMT  ·  By
Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Brühl in first official pic for “The Fifth Estate”
   Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Brühl in first official pic for “The Fifth Estate”

So the rumors were true after all: Benedict Cumberbatch’s next project will be the Julian Assange biopic now in the works under the direction of Bill Condon. The first photo of the actor in character has been released.

Cumberbatch stars in “The Fifth Estate” as the WikiLeaks founder and, by the looks of the first photo released, he’s got the looks part down.

Also pictured: Daniel Brühl as Assange’s former right-hand man Daniel Domscheit-Berg.

The film has now started principal photography, with a theatrical release date set for November 15 this year.

Word online has it that the film won’t take sides since the script portrays Assange as an idealist at heart who loses his way and becomes corrupted by power.

Considering Cumberbatch’s ability to play extremely complicated men, this was almost like a part tailor-made for him.