Sony Pictures has optioned film rights to “No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State,” the new book by Glenn Greenwald, whose reporting on the revelations contained in Snowden’s top-secret NSA documents won the Pulitzer Prize for The Guardian newspaper.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions will produce the film, it was announced Wednesday by Sony.
Greenwald’s book examines the journalist’s personal involvement in working with Snowden to break numerous stories about the U.S. government’s intelligence gathering operations. The book is both a personal narrative of the events as they unfolded and a historical reflection on the broader implications of the NSA’s activities.
“Edward Snowden’s explosive revelations have raised important questions about the role of government in protecting its citizens and the balance between national security and personal freedom,” said Columbia Pictures president Doug Belgrad. “We are extremely proud that Michael, Barbara and Glenn chose Sony to bring this riveting story to the big screen, and believe that Glenn’s account of this incredible international event will make for a gripping and unforgettable film.”
“I’m very happy to be working with Amy Pascal, Doug Belgrad, and the team at Sony Pictures Entertainment, who have a successful track record of making thoughtful and nuanced true-life stories that audiences want to see. Growing up, I was heavily influenced by political films, and am excited about the opportunity to be part of a political film that will resonate with today’s moviegoers,” added Greenwald.
Wilson and Broccoli are the team behind the blockbuster James Bond franchise including “Skyfall,” the first Bond movie to gross over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.
“Glenn Greenwald’s ‘No Place to Hide’ is a terrifying personal account of one of the most relevant political events of our time. We are thrilled to be working with Glenn to bring this important story to the screen,” Wilson and Broccoli said in a joint statement.
Released worldwide on May 13 and translated into more than 20 languages, the book was published in the U.S. by Metropolitan Books, an imprint of Henry Holt & Company.
Overseeing for the studio is Elizabeth Cantillon, Columbia Pictures’ executive VP of production. The deal was brokered by Lucy Stille at Paradigm and Dan Conaway at Writers House.
