James McAvoy is in talks to star in the Julian Assange biopic. File picture: Ian West/PA

James McAvoy in talks to star in Julian Assange biopic

Tuesday, November 13, 2012
7:45 AM

James McAvoy is in talks to star in the forthcoming biopic of Julian Assange - the WikiLeaks founder who has been living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since June.

Julian Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. File picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire

McAvoy, whose previous films include The Last King of Scotland, Atonement and X-Men: First Class, is reportedly up for the role of the WikiLeaks founder’s right-hand man Daniel Domscheit-Berg in the film opposite Benedict Cumberbatch as the controversial journalist, Variety reports.

The script for the film, which is being directed by Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn helmsman Bill Condon, is partially based on Domscheit-Berg’s book Inside WikiLeaks: My Time With Julian Assange at the World’s Most Dangerous Website.

Josh Singer’s script is also partially adapted from David Leigh and Luke Harding’s book WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy.

RoboCop actor Joel Kinnaman was previously linked with the role of Domscheit-Berg, while Jeremy Renner has expressed a wish to portray Assange.

The DreamWorks-produced film is expected to go into production next year.

Assange is wanted in Sweden to face questioning over a sexual assault investigation.

He has been living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since June 2012.

British officials say he will be arrested if he steps out of the building.