Steven Soderbergh will produce with an eye to direct an upcoming Panama Papers feature film
Steven Soderbergh may be making another return to feature film directing as it was announced today that the Academy Award winner is producing with an eye to direct a big screen adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Bernstein‘s upcoming nonfiction book, Secrecy World.
An investigation into the “Panama Papers,” the largest data leak in corporate and government history, Secrecy World was announced by publisher Henry Holt and Company with the following official description:
“Secrecy World” will contain new details that expand on the recent revelations about the financial machinations of rulers and royalty, the illegal activities connected to dozens of banks, and the extent to which U.S. companies and citizens are involved. He will show how this massive data leak toppled public officials, launched investigations and forced governments to respond. We have only begun to understand what’s in the Panama Papers, the consequences from the leak and what it took to bring these revelations to light; Bernstein will deliver the definitive, revelatory, and surprising story.
Bernstein was part of the international team of journalists who are members of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists that broke the story of the Panama Papers in April. More than 11 million records were leaked as a part of the papers sourced from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.
The film adaptation will be scripted by Scott Z. Burns, who previously worked alongside Soderbergh on films like The Informant!, Contagion and Side Effects.
Although it was previously hinted that Soderbergh had retired from feature film directing, he’s currently shooting another upcoming project, Logan Lucky.
Lawrence Grey’s Grey Matter Productions acquired the feature film rights to Secrecy World and is teaming with Anonymous Content to develop, finance and produce the film. Grey will himself produce alongside Anonymous Content’s Michael Sugar, Burns and Soderbergh. Bernstein will serve as executive produce alongside Grey Matter COO, Ben Everard.
(Photo Credit: Brian To / WENN.com)
