Bradley Manning Acquitted: We Cast the WikiLeaks Suspect for Inevitable TV Movie

Find out which actors we think could play the 25-year-old military private

By Brett Malec Jul 30, 2013 8:12 PMTags
Bradley ManningMark Wilson/Getty Images

While we patiently await the inevitable TV movie about the WikiLeakes scandal, let's cast Bradley Manning, the WikiLeakes suspect who was acquitted today of aiding the enemy in leaking U.S. military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks.

The 25-year-old military private was however convicted of several less serious counts relating to the WikiLeakes scandal.

So which Hollywood actors do we think could play Manning in a movie? Here are our top 10 picks.

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Jamie Bell: Of all the actors on our list, the new dad definitely look most like Manning. From his fair complexion, clean look and thin frame, we can totally see Bell suited up as the soldier.

Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc/Sipa USA

Nicholas Hoult: With a pair of glasses and a shaved head, the X-Men actor could definitely channel Manning's military look.

Sony Pictures

Joseph Gordon-Levitt: We all saw how much Gordon-Levitt altered his physical appearance for his film Looper, so he could totally step into Manning's style of look and dress for a WikiLeakes film. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he's such a multitalented actor.

Zac Efron: Efron played a marine who served three tours in Iraq in his film The Lucky One, so he already has the military knowledge and training to play a private. Plus, we'd watch him in anything.

Mike Windle/Wireimage

Robert Pattinson: We know R.Pattz can drop his British accent for a role (Twilight, anyone?) and he definitely has a scruffy, all-American look. Plus, isn't Pattinson any casting director's No. 1 choice anyway?

Justin Bieber: Manning definitely looks young for 25 years of age. And what better way than for the Biebs to make his big film acting debut than with a serious role playing a real person? Don't act like you can't see it.

Aaron Paul: The Breaking Bad star already has the crew-cut thing going on. And with an Emmy Award, he's proven he has the acting chops to boot.

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Austin Butler: Vanessa Hudgens' guy is a clean-cut up-and-comer with a fresh face, perfect to take on the role of Manning. We could also see him going a little nerdy to channel the WikiLeakes suspect.

MTV

Colton Haynes: The Teen Wolf stud certainly has the buff bod of a military guy!

Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic

Miley Cyrus: If John Travolta can play Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Cyrus can play a military dude. With her new short hair and signature raspy voice, we can see Cyrus delve into the serious role, à la G.I. Jane.