LONDON — Oliver Stone and long-time producing partner Moritz Borman have nabbed the rights to “The Snowden Files, The Inside Story of the World’s Most Wanted Man,” written by journalist Luke Harding.
Stone will pen and helm the film, drawing from Harding’s account of events surrounding the Guardian newspaper’s reporting of the disclosures provided by Edward Snowden.
Stone has started to write the screenplay and Borman is fast-tracking it as a European co-production to start filming before the end of the year.
The book was described by the New York Times as “a fast-paced, almost novelistic narrative that is part bildungsroman and part cinematic thriller.”
Stone said: “This is one of the greatest stories of our time. A real challenge. I’m glad to have the Guardian working with us.”
Guardian editor-in-chief, Alan Rusbridger, said: “The story of Edward Snowden is truly extraordinary, and the unprecedented revelations he brought to light have forever transformed our understanding of, and relationship with, government and technology. We’re delighted to be working with Oliver Stone and Moritz Borman on the film.”