Study in silver: A first look at Assange the movie - News - Films - The Independent

Pictured is the first glimpse from the set of the upcoming film about Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, The Fifth Estate. Directed by Bill Condon (he of the final two instalments of the Twilight franchise), it is based on two books, Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World's Most Dangerous Website by Daniel Domscheit-Berg and WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy by David Leigh and Luke Harding.

Told from the viewpoint of Assange's right-hand man, Domscheit-Berg, the film will focus on the website's early days. We'll have to wait and see whether Assange will be able to take a trip to the cinema to watch The Fifth Estate when it is released at the end of this year or if he'll have to wait for the DVD.

The star

Having hottie Benedict Cumberbatch play him will no doubt thrill the egomaniac Assange. But with that hair, surely Helen Mirren was the one?

Hacker chic

Assange now likes to sport a tie for his balcony appearances but back in the day, like every other web geek, he favoured a sensible anorak and rucksack.

The hair

Sherlock fans, rejoice! That platinum bob is merely a wig so his much-admired floppy auburn locks are alive and well. That 'do, though. Yikes.

Daniel x 3

The other chap is Daniel Domscheit-Berg, Assange's cohort, whose pseudonym was Daniel Schmitt. Played by Daniel Brühl. Confused?

Cameos

As the film focuses on the website's early days, the Ecuadorian embassy hideout won't likely feature. Which means no Lady Gaga cameo. Sad face.

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