George Clooney will return to the director’s chair to helm a film chronicling the British phone-hacking scandal, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today.

Clooney will direct an adaptation of “Hack Attack,” a book by journalist Nick Davies that examines the hacking scandal that enveloped Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.

“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. Nick is a brave and stubborn reporter and we consider it an honor to put his book to film.”

Clooney will produce the film along with partner Grant Heslov.

“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,” said Michael De Luca, president of production for Columbia Pictures. “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.”

Shooting on the film is expected to begin next year.