After tackling World War II with this past February's The Monuments Men, the multi-talented George Clooney has settled on his next directorial feature. THR reports that Clooney will produce and direct an adaptation of journalist Nick Davies’ book Hack Attack (great title or greatest title?) for Sony Pictures, which chronicles the recent British phone hacking scandal that surrounded Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation empire. In 2011, the company was caught hacking into the voicemails of everyone from celebrities to politicians to families of soldiers who perished in the Iraq War. The unveiling of the scandal led to News of the World closing its doors after 168 years and a subsequent government investigation that lead to the arrest of the publication’s former executive editor Neil Wallis and former editor Rebekah Brooks.
More on the film, and Clooney’s upcoming slate, after the jump.
Per THR, production on Clooney’s phone hacking scandal movie will begin next year. Unlike The Monuments Men, however, Clooney will not appear in front of the camera this time around. While Clooney and his Smokehouse Productions producing partner Grant Heslov set out to make something that wasn’t cynical for a change with Monuments Men, it appears that they’re ready to delve back into heavy drama territory with this next feature. The last time Clooney tackled journalistic issues the result was the terrific Good Night, and Good Luck, so my hopes are high for this next feature. The duo also recently signed on to produce a remake of the Norwegian thriller Pioneer for Sony, which is currently in development.
Right now, though, Clooney is gearing up to star in the next film from directors Joel and Ethan Coen, the Hollywood-centric Hail, Caesar!. He will next be seen in front of the camera in director Brad Bird’s mysterious Disney project Tomorrowland, which opens in theaters next May.