Benedict Cumberbatch has said that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is unlikely to back upcoming film The Fifth Estate, Digital Spy revealed.

The Sherlock star told a Toronto Film Festival press conference that Assange will not endorse the movie, which charts the early days of the whistle-blowing website.

Cumberbatch said: "I'm not a betting man, but I reckon he won't particularly want to support the film."

Assange is currently living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London after being granted political asylum by the South American country.

He is wanted for questioning in Sweden over sexual assault allegations relating to incidents in Stockholm in August 2010.

Cumberbatch, who portrays Assange in The Fifth Estate, would not comment on the potential outcome of the controversy, BBC News reports.

He said: "I wouldn't want to furnish what I think should or might happen.

"It's to do with dealings behind closed doors for all of us, and I don't have access to any perspective or information that would shine a light on some certain truth."

Cumberbatch added: "What I'd like to see is the man being able to carry on with his work.

"Beyond that, due process has to take place, in whatever shape or form that happens."

The Fifth Estate hits UK and Ireland cinemas on October 11.