CULVER CITY, Calif. (AP) — Sony Pictures announced Wednesday that George Clooney will co-produce and direct the film version of “Hack Attack,” reporter Nick Davies’ book about the British phone hacking scandal.

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

Clooney, who is the son of a journalist, called Davies “a brave and stubborn reporter” and said it was “an honor to put his book to film.”

Davies investigated Rupert Murdock’s News Corp. and subsidiary News International for more than six years. His book details widespread hacking of voice mail of public officials, celebrities and ordinary citizens.

The scandal drew widespread attention and sent tremors through British politics.

The movie starts shooting next year.

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