Benedict Cumberbatch and Julian Assange are reportedly in regular contact via email, Digital Spy said.

Cumberbatch portrays the WikiLeaks co-founder in Bill Condon's upcoming drama The Fifth Estate, which Assange had previously slammed as "a massive propaganda attack".

However, The Sun reports that Assange now emails Cumberbatch regularly, having initially rebuffed the actor's request to meet him when he was first cast.

"Assange now thinks Benedict better understands his actions and motivations," a source said.

Daniel Brühl also stars as Assange's business associate Daniel Domscheit-Berg, whose book WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World's Most Dangerous Website partially formed the basis of the film's script.

Laura Linney, Anthony Mackie, David Thewlis, Peter Capaldi and Alicia Vikander feature in the film's supporting cast.

The Fifth Estate will be released in the US on November 15, with a UK release date yet to be set.