‘Fifth Estate’ Star Benedict Cumberbatch: ‘I’m Sure Julian Assange Will Go After Me’

Benedict Cumberbatch harbors no delusions that Julian Assange is going to applaud his platinum-blond portrayal of the WikiLeaks founder in the upcoming film “The Fifth Estate.”

Cumberbatch, who’s attempted to reassure Assange that the movie doesn’t villainize him, tells Entertainment Weekly, “I’m sure he’ll go after me. … I’m not a bank with offshore accounts in the Canaries, I don’t fiddle my taxes, I’m not wanted for war crimes. If he goes after me, it’s going to be a waste of his extraordinary talent. But if he does, I kind of respect that because he needs to be able to answer back.”

Assange has already slammed the movie as “a massive propaganda attack,” though Cumberbatch says it’s more multi-layered than that. “I hope if I’ve done well, I’ve probably humanized someone that many people only think of in tabloid headline terms. He’s an extraordinary figure. The movie was just the opportunity to try and unlock a little about who he is and what motivates him,” the British actor explains.

However, if Assange does make a move, Cumberbatch has faith that his fans will shield him from harm. “[T]he Cumberbitches have got my back, so I’ll be fine,” he jokes.

“The Fifth Estate,” which also stars Daniel Bruhl, Laura Linney, Peter Capaldi, and Stanley Tucci, is set to open the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival before its wide release on October 18.

[via EW]