Benedict Cumberbatch in Talks to Play WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange in DreamWorks Film
Deadline reports that Benedict Cumberbatch may take on the role of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in DreamWorks upcoming film from director Bill Condon. Joel Kinnaman is set to play former "right hand man" Daniel Domscheit-Berg in the film.
DreamWorks recently acquired the rights to David Leigh and Luke Harding's WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War On Secrecy, and Domscheit-Berg's Inside WikiLeaks: My Time With Julian Assange At The World's Most Dangerous Website. Josh Singer penned the script.
Assange launched WikiLeaks in 2006 and embarrassed the government by leaking top secret cables and classified documents. He is also facing sexual assault charges in Sweden. In addition to the DreamWorks project, Universal and Marc Shmuger have a Assange documentary in the works, while HBO, Universal and Megan Ellison are also working on films.
In 2010, Cumberbatch starred in the title role on Sherlock for BBC TV. He also starred in Steven Spielberg's War Horse film adaptation and last year alternated leads in Danny Boyle's production of FRANKENSTEIN. His other theater credits include 'Hedda Gabler', for which he received an Olivier Award nomination. Cumberbatch appeared in this year's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and will star in the upcoming film August: Osage County.
