George Clooney has stepped forward to direct Sony Pictures Entertainment's "Hack Attack" that is centered on celebrity privacy scandals.

The film adaptation will take on The Guardian journalist Nick Davies' perspective on the phone hacking scandal in the United Kingdom, focusing on Rupert Murdoch's news empire. Produced by Clooney and Grant Heslov, the pic will come under Sony Pictures' Smokehouse banner.

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"This has all the elements - lying, corruption, blackmail - at the highest levels of government by the biggest newspaper in London," Clooney explained. "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."

In a span of six years, Davies carried out an investigation on News Corp. and on News Intl., its subsidiary. His book has presented how the company has been hacking into the mobile phones and obtaining access to the voicemail messages of celebrities, officials, and even unsuspecting British citizens.

Once revealed, the scandal puts an end to the 168-year span of the news publication, News of the World, and brings on a government investigation on how the news company has been conducting highly unprincipled business practices.

Producer and screenwriter Michael de Luca will be overseeing the project and filming has been slotted to begin next year.

 "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," De Luca commented. "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."

Action drama film "The Monuments Men", starring Clooney, Matt Damon, and Cate Blanchett, among others, have raked in $78 million in the U.S. box office and a total of $154 million worldwide. The soon-to-be-wed actor recently finished the production of Brad Bird's "Tomorrowland" for Disney. 

TagsGeorge Clooney, Sony Pictures, Hack Attack