George Clooney to adapt Hack Attack, account of U.K. tabloid phone scandal
The adapted book is published in Canada by House of Anansi Press
George Clooney will direct an adaptation of the book Hack Attack, British journalist Nick Davies' account of the News of the World phone hacking scandal.
Bob and Sally Dowlers' 13-year-old daughter Milly was kidnapped and murdered in 2002. It was later revealed that reporters from the News of the World—the British tabloid owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch—hacked into voice mail messages on her mobile phone, while she was still reported missing.
The case shocked Britain and shook Rupert Murdoch's empire to its core.
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Hack Attack: The Inside Story of How the Truth Caught Up with Rupert Murdoch is a critical account of the complicity between British media, police and government during the scandal.
The book shows how News Corporation and its subsidiary, News International, had a wide-ranging habit of hacking into the voice mail messages of elected officials, celebrities and victims of terror attacks.
Hack Attack is published in Canada by House of Anansi Press. Davies is a special correspondent for the Guardian newspaper in London.
“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 honour to put his book to film.”
The adaptation will be produced by Clooney and Grant Heslov through their Smokehouse banner for Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Michael De Luca, president of Production for Columbia Pictures, will oversee the project for Sony. Shooting is scheduled to begin next year.