Benedict Cumberbatch Being Julian Assange Is Cumber-mazing

Network Ten’s 2012 Julian Assange mini-series, Underground: The Julian Assange Story, was a quite well-received depiction of the activist’s early life in the Melbourne ‘burbs; kinda like a Batman Begins-type origin story, but, you know, about long-haired hacker-nerds. Still, despite talented local Alex Williams’ convincing performance as the young man once known as ‘Mendax’, the film was missing something — namely, the dramatic gravitas that only comes with a true Hollywood production. Fortunately, Hollywood has heeded the world’s call, for here is our first glimpse of The Fifth Estate.

Directed by Bill Condon (maker of such beloved fare like Dreamgirls and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Parts 1 & 2) and starring WASP-y superstar Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek Into Darkness), the film eschews the Wikileaks founder’s back-story and instead focuses on the act that made him a household name and got him permanently stuck in London’s Ecuadorean embassy (there’s gotta be a sitcom in there somewhere).

Looks like Cumberbatch is at his Oscar-baiting best here, sporting an incredible grey floppy mop, and a ridiculously thick Aussie accent to rival those in Pacific Rim. Also, head to 0:49 mark — Assange nerdy sex tease! Or 1:11 — “We’re gonna nail those bastards!” Or 1:48 — a hacking montage! Oh, the highlights.

This movie is going to be incredible; look for it in local theatres in October. Well played, Cumberbatch, well played.