Preview the Trailer for "The Six Billion Dollar Man," a Documentary About Julian Assange, Directed by Eugene Jarecki, a Potential Oscar Contender

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been labeled in various ways by U.S. authorities, from spy to tool of Russian intelligence to high-tech terrorist. Filmmaker Eugene Jarecki, however, views him as a whistleblower and a defender of the publics right to know what their government is doing. His documentary, The Six Billion Dollar Man: Julian Assange and the Price of Truth, which is in contention for Oscars, examines Assanges controversial role in exposing classified information, including the infamous Collateral Murder video depicting U.S. military actions in Iraq.

The documentary is set to premiere in UK and Ireland cinemas on December 19, with a U.S. release scheduled for early 2026. A first trailer has been made available, offering a glimpse into the films exploration of Assanges story.

At the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where the film was showcased, director Eugene Jarecki stated, Audiences were stunned by revelations that challenge what we thought we knew about Assange. Today, the film serves as a pressing warning about the ongoing threats to journalism and truth.

The documentary features interviews with Julian Assange, his wife Stella, whistleblower Edward Snowden, Naomi Klein, Pamela Anderson, Alan Duncan, Daniel Ellsberg, Jen Robinson, Nils Melzer, Rafael Correa, and Sigurdur Thordarson, a former Wikileaks associate who became one of Assanges key betrayers.

Produced by Kathleen Fournier and Eugene Jarecki, with executive producers James Packer, Addison ODea, and Mathilde Bonnefoy, the film is distributed by Watermelon Pictures. Jarecki emphasizes that the documentary tracks the long-running U.S. campaign against Assange, which reportedly cost $6 billion and at one point threatened him with the death penalty, revealing new evidence previously unseen by the public.

Assange is now free, having reached a plea agreement with U.S. authorities, pleading guilty to one count under the Espionage Act, while 17 other charges were dropped. He had spent over five years in UK custody after seeking asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.

Watch the trailer for The Six Billion Dollar Man to see the story unfold.

Analysis: The Public Debate Around Julian Assange

Julian Assange remains a polarizing figure in global discourse, viewed by U.S. authorities in severe terms—from spy to "high-tech terrorist." Yet, Eugene Jarecki’s new documentary frames him as a whistleblower defending transparency and public accountability. This perspective challenges the mainstream narrative and invites audiences to reconsider the consequences of exposing classified information.

The film, The Six Billion Dollar Man: Julian Assange and the Price of Truth, highlights the extensive U.S. campaign against Assange, reportedly costing $6 billion and threatening him with the death penalty. It includes interviews with key figures, including Assange himself, Edward Snowden, and former Wikileaks associate Sigurdur Thordarson, offering firsthand insight into the complexities of his legal and personal struggles.

Assange’s recent plea agreement, resulting in the dismissal of 17 charges and his freedom after over five years in UK custody, marks a significant turning point. Jarecki emphasizes that the documentary not only recounts these events but also serves as a broader commentary on threats to journalism and the right to know.

Set for release in the UK and Ireland on December 19, and in the U.S. in early 2026, the film provides a timely reminder of the ongoing tension between state secrecy and public accountability, urging viewers to critically assess the balance between national security and transparency.

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• Watch Trailer For Julian Assange Doc ‘The Six Billion Dollar Man,’ Oscar Contender Directed By Eugene Jarecki