Cumberbatch: Assange asked me to reconsider WikiLeaks role

Benedict Cumberbatch is likely looking at an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate, but the actor has revealed that he briefly considered pulling out of the film.

In an interview with The Guardian, the actor told how he he received an email from Assange the day before shooting began in Iceland.

[Quiz: Do you believe in the freedom of information?]
[Cumberbatch at Estate premiere]

The missive requested that Cumberbatch reconsider his decision to star in the film, which follows Assange's journey from underground activist to international terrorist-cum-cyberhero.

"It was a very considered, thorough, charming and intelligent account of why he thought it was morally wrong for me to be part of something he thought was going to be damaging in real terms, not just to perceptions but to the reality of the outcome for himself," he said.

"He characterised himself as a political refugee, and with [Bradley] Manning awaiting trial, and other supporters of WikiLeaks who have been detained or might be awaiting detention, and the organisation itself – all of that being under threat if I took part in this film."

When asked whether he considered agreeing to Assange's request, Cumberbatch was honest: "Of course. The fact that it was coming from the man himself, the day before we started filming? Of course I would hear and feel the protests of the man I was about to pretend to be. I'm a human being."

But, of course, the actor chose not to grant Assange's plea, and explained how he replied in the negative, reasoning that The Fifth Estate isn't a documentary, but rather a film intended to provoke thought and entertain.

"The central thrust was: this is not documentary, this is not a legally admissible piece of evidence in a court of law, it's not going to alter perception in a way that is actually politically going to damage you at all," he explained.

"People who will come to see this film will be savvy enough to see it as what it is; it's a starting point, that should both provoke and entertain. It will be a talking point, but your life, your private life, your persona, is fatefully intertwined with your mission – it cannot not be now.

"And to be honest, I think the sort of general perspective on you is still echoing from the kind of character assassinations that began way back when, with the initial leaks, and that is now heightened by the accusations of sexual misconduct in Sweden, and so you're known as this white-haired Australian weirdo wanted for rape in Sweden who's holed up behind Harrods in some embassy. So the misinformation about you is already there."

[Cumberbatch is Brit of the Year]

Cumberbatch went on to reason that he believes the film is an honest, and positive, portrayal of its subject.

"I said listen, this film is going to explore what you achieved, what brought you to the world's attention, in a way that I think is nothing but positive. I admit to doing work because I'm a vain actor. I want to be able to say, yeah, I'm playing a lead in a film. That's a huge career move for me. Yet I'm not acting in a moral vacuum. I have considered this, and whatever happens, I want to give as much complexity and understanding of you as I can."

The Fifth Estate is released on 11 October, 2013.