A new film about a recent newspaper phone hacking scandal is set to be directed by George Clooney. The actor, producer and director will bring to life the new Sony Pictures Entertainment project, based on illegal phone hacking uncovered in a publication within Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

Sony, who competes with Murdoch's 21st Century Fox studio, announced Wednesday that it would be turning the book "Hack Attack: The Inside Story of How the Truth Caught Up With Rupert Murdoch," written by Nick Davies, released this July. Clooney is secured to direct and produce the film, along with producer Grant Heslov.

Davies is a British journalist who was reporting for the Guardian when he revealed from a six-year investigation an extensive amount of phone hacking at The News of the World, a newspaper in the media conglomerate News Corp. "Hack Attack" is a behind-the-scenes look at how this illegal surveillance was uncovered, leading to The News of the World to close in 2011.

Clooney is set to begin shooting the movie next year.

"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."

The Oscar-nominated director was recognized for his achievements in "Good Night, and Good Luck," where he starred in and directed the film about CBS anchor Edward R. Murrow and McCarthyism. Clooney's focus on media-related films caught the attention of Michael De Luca, a senior Sony Entertainment executive.

De Luca said that Clooney is the son of a journalist and the "Hack Attack" film "will explore the dark side of that world, a business where all the rules of journalism are broken in the race for an easy and ever-larger payday."