George Clooney to direct new film about UK phone-hacking scandal

George Clooney is set to direct an adaptation of the book Hack Attack by Guardian journalist Nick Davies, an account of Davies’ investigation into Rupert Murdoch’s media empire which uncovered the phone-hacking scandal that rocked the British establishment and resulted in the closure of the News of the World.

“This has all the elements – lying, corruption, blackmail – at the highest levels of government by the biggest newspaper in London,” Clooney said in a statement. “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.”

Michael De Luca, who will oversee the project in his role as president of production for Columbia pictures, said in a statement, “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.

“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.”

Clooney will, with partner Grant Heslov, also produce the film through their company Smokehouse Pictures, which has produced several other Clooney movies as well as Ben Affleck’s Argo. Shooting is scheduled to begin next year.