WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to guest star on 500th episode of 'The Simpsons,' report says

• 
  
  

  The Simpsons (AP)

  
  

Julian Assange, the controversial founder/editor of WikiLeaks, will guest star as himself in the 500th episode of "The Simpsons," according to a report from Entertainment Weekly.

The Feb. 19 episode will be a landmark for the FOX  show and Assange recorded a guest spot this summer to mark the occasion, EW reports.

Series creator Matt Groenig heard a rumor that Assange was interested in appear ing an episode of the show, "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean told EW.

"We asked our casting director Bonnie Pietila – who had been able to unearth Thomas Pynchon and got Tony Blair to do the show – to find Mr. Assange. And she did," he said.

Assange recorded his part from an undisclosed location, as he has been under house arrest in Britain. Jean directed him remotely from Los Angeles.

"I was just given a number to call," he said.

Assange will play "sort of their new Flanders," when Home r and Marge are forced off the grid when the residents of Springfield come together to kick them out , Jean said.

Assange will appear next on a talk show on Russia's English-language channel in March, EW reports.