The Fifth Estate Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Last modified: Jan. 19, 2014

The Fifth Estate

Release Date: Friday, October 18, 2013 Theaters

A look at the relationship between WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his early supporter and eventual colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg, and how the website's growth and influence led to an irreparable rift between the two friends.

Director: Bill Condon

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch • Dan Stevens • Alicia Vikander • Daniel Brühl • Laura Linney

R Drama N/A

2.86 / 5.0

6% WILL SEE 94% WON'T SEE

Rent or buy

Plot – What's the story about?

Plot: Following Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Brühl), an early supporter and eventual colleague of Julian Assange (Cumberbatch), The Fifth Estate traces the heady, early days of WikiLeaks, culminating in the release of a series of controversial and history changing information leaks. The website’s overnight success brought instant fame to its principal architects and transformed the flow of information to news media and the world at large.

Drama True Story

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Who stars in The Fifth Estate – Cast List

Benedict Cumberbatch
... Julian Assange

Avengers: Endgame, The Roses
D
Dan Stevens
The Call of the Wild, The Ritual
Alicia Vikander
Rumours, Tomb Raider
D
Daniel Brühl
... Daniel Domscheit-Berg

Eden, Captain America: Civil War
Laura Linney
... Sarah Shaw

The Details, Sully
Anthony Mackie
... Sam Coulson

Avengers: Doomsday, Avengers: Endgame
D
David Thewlis
... Nick Davies

Wonder Woman, Avatar: Fire and Ash
P
Peter Capaldi
The Suicide Squad, Paddington 2
C
Carice van Houten
... Birgitta Jónsdóttir

Valkyrie, Intruders
Stanley Tucci
... James Boswell

The Devil Wears Prada 2, What Is Life Worth

Who is making The Fifth Estate – Crew List

A look at The Fifth Estate behind-the-scenes crew and production team. The film's director Bill Condon last helmed Kiss of the Spider Woman and The Good Liar. The film's writer Josh Singer last penned Maestro and First Man.

Director: Bill Condon
Screenwriter: Josh Singer
Producers: Holly Bario
Kira Goldberg
Michael Sugar

Studios: Touchstone Pictures
Production Company: Anonymous Content
DreamWorks Studios
Participant Media

Production – What we know about the The Fifth Estate

Key Facts

Said director Bill Condon, "It may be decades before we understand the full impact of WikiLeaks and how it's revolutionized the spread of information. So this film won't claim any long view authority on its subject, or attempt any final judgment. We want to explore the complexities and challenges of transparency in the information age and, we hope, enliven and enrich the conversations WikiLeaks has already provoked."
Distribution internationally will be split among Disney, DreamWorks partner Reliance, and deals made through the studio's partnership with Mister Smith Entertainment.
"Downton Abbey" actor Dan Stevens will play a hacker friend of Daniel Bruhl's character who comes to work for the website.
Based on "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.

Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Aug 2013

Completed

Changed The Fifth Estate movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

May 2013

Post-Production

Changed the movie production status to Post-Production. The movie is now in the editing and finishing stages.

Jan 2013

Production

Changed the movie production status to Production. Principal photography has begun. The film will open in theaters on November 15, 2013.

Dec 2012

Pre-Production

Changed the movie production status to Pre-Production. Lensing to start in 2013.

Oct 2012

Development

Changed the movie production status to Development. The movie is likely in scripting, budgeting, or stuck in 'development hell.'

Oct 2012

Announced

Changed the movie production status to Announced. Preparations are underway to start production.

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Additional Information

Parent Rating: R Restricted for language and some violence
Runtime: N/A
Tagline: Not available
Also known as: Untitled DreamWorks/Julian Assange Project, The Man Who Sold the World
Language: English

The Fifth Estate Trailers and Clips

The Fifth Estate

Theatrical Trailer

The Fifth Estate Release Date: When was the film released?

The Fifth Estate was released in nationwide movie theaters on Friday, October 18 , 2013. There were 14 14 other movies released on the same date, including Escape Plan, Carrie and Broadway Idiot.