There's a huge amount of footage of Julian [ Assange] online, but he's usually in presentation or defending mode, talking about his cause, or the revelations which Wikileaks have brought about. There's none of Assange relaxing or in private mode. There's none of the personality I tried to give him behind closed doors [in The Fifth Estate ].

Mystique is rare now, isn't it? There aren't that many enigmas in this modern world.

I'm quite sensitive to people noticing me. There are times when I'm relaxed, then others when it does make me self-conscious.

I wanted to take the audience on a journey where that transition was funny and awkward. It's the same cynicism that [Strange] has.

It's difficult because nothing's preordained by plan and you can't control it. That's one of those joys and thrills and nerve-racking realities of being an actor. A lot has to do with luck, no matter what your talent or contribution can be.

I've gone up two suit sizes. The character I'm playing, he's strong, I can say that much. I've changed my physique a bit, so that requires eating like a foie gras goose, well beyond your appetite. Providing I don't feel too ill, I then work out two hours a day with a phenomenal trainer. It's the L.A. way.

I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.