George Clooney will return to the director’s chair to helm a film chronicling the British phone-hacking scandal, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced Wednesday.
Clooney will direct an adaptation of “Hack Attack,” a book by journalist Nick Davies that examines the hacking scandal that enveloped Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.
“This has all the elements — lying, corruption, blackmail — at the highest levels of government by the biggest newspaper in London,” Clooney said. “And the fact that it’s true is the best part. Nick is a brave and stubborn reporter and we consider it an honor to put his book to film.”
Clooney will produce the film along with partner Grant Heslov.
“As the son of a journalist, George has a sharp interest in the role journalism plays in all of our lives — whether that’s for good, as in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck,’ or for bad,” said Michael De Luca, president of production for Columbia Pictures. “With ‘Hack Attack,’ George will explore the dark side of that world, a business where all of the rules of journalism are broken in the race for an easy and ever-larger payday.”
Shooting on the film is expected to begin next year.
— City News Service