Julian Assange has released an open letter to actor Benedict Cumberbatch who plays him in the upcoming film, The Fifth Estate. The WikiLeaks founder is railing out against the movie but praising the actor.
Controversial activist, journalist, and whistle blowing founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, is the subject of a new film. However, based around the source material chosen, Assange has some serious issues about the film's accuracy. Actor Benedict Cumberbatch previously reached out to Assange. Now just days before the films release, Assange has released an open letter he wrote to the actor.
In the letter, Assange addresses Cumberbatch's attempt to meet him before filming commenced back in January:
"I think I would enjoy meeting you. The bond that develops between an actor and a living subject is significant. If the film reaches distribution we will forever be correlated in the public imagination. Our paths will be forever entwined. Each of us will be granted standing to comment on the other for many years to come and others will compare our characters and trajectories."
However, he also went on to express his reservations about the film:
"I believe you are a good person, but I do not believe that this film is a good film. I do not believe it is going to be positive for me or the people I care about. I believe that it is going to be overwhelmingly negative for me and the people I care about. It is based on a deceitful book by someone who has a vendetta against me and my organisation."
Adding:
"Dreamworks has based its entire production on the two most discredited books on the market. I know the film intends to depict me and my work in a negative light."
The Fifth Estate opens October 18, 2013. Tell us what you think about the letter in the comments section below.
