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Benedict Cumberbatch defends Assange flop 'The Fifth Estate'

The actor says he would happily do the film again knowing it would struggle at the box office.

Benedict Cumberbatch defends Assange flop 'The Fifth Estate'

After the Wikileaks film 'The Fifth Estate' was named the biggest flop of 2013, you'd think that the makers would want to distance themselves from the failed production.

['The Fifth Estate named the year's biggest flop]
 
However actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who played the role of the site's co-founder Julian Assange, was quick to defend the film when quizzed promoting new movie 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'.
 
"[It was] an amazing character, an extraordinary role, and a really fascinating story," he explained to Yahoo Movies UK, "No one has a crystal ball when they’re making a film. I don’t choose roles to get fame or recognition or riches, I choose them because I’m interested in getting as much variety, both with who I work with and what I work on, so I wouldn’t change the decision to do that."
 
The film was met to a muted critical acclaim earlier this year, but most praised Cumberbatch for his portrayal of the Australian activist, despite Assange's pleas with the actor to not take the part. When pushed for a reason for the film's box office failure, Cumberbatch was at a loss to explain it.

[The worst reviewed films of 2013 revealed]
 
"I’m not into the science of it, I’m very new to it I guess. There’s a huge amount of business involved, so who knows? I’m really proud of it and really proud of my work in it and I think I would do it again, definitely."
 
'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' is in cinemas worldwide from December 13th, and you can watch the trailer below...