Stone will write and direct the film, drawing from Harding’s critically-acclaimed account of events surrounding the Guardian’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting of the disclosures provided by Edward Snowden, as well as additional materials from the Guardian’s US team who broke the story.
Stone has commenced writing the screenplay and Borman is fast-tracking it as a major European co-production to start filming before the end of the year. Harding and other Guardian journalists will also act as exclusive production and story consultants.
Described by The New York Times as “a fast-paced, almost novelistic narrative that is part bildungsroman and part cinematic thriller,” ‘The Snowden Files’ was the first published account of the events behind the biggest intelligence leak in history.
Oliver 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.”
