George Clooney to direct flick on phone hacking scandal

George Clooney is headed back to the director's chair.

This time he'll delve into the dirty dealings of the British phone hacking scandal that rocked Rupert Murdoch's publishing empire.

Sony Pictures Entertainment confirmed Clooney's commitment to direct "Hack Attack," a film adaption of Nick Davies' book Hack Attack: The Inside Story of How the Truth Caught Up With Rupert Murdoch, on Wednesday.

"This has all the elements-lying, corruption, blackmail-at the highest levels of government by the biggest newspaper in London," Clooney, 53, 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."

Davies' book chronicles the 2011 scandal, which caused Murdoch to shutter News of the World after 160 years in publication and prompted a government investigation into illegal newsgathering. The phone hacking scandal, which targeted celebrities like Jude Law, Sienna Miller, Daniel Craig, and government officials also landed the publication's top editors, Neil Wallis and Rebekah Brooks, in handcuffs.

Clooney and Grant Heslov will produce the film through their company, Smokehouse Pictures, and Sony.

The film is expected to begin shooting in 2015.