Steven Soderbergh Set to Make Movie About Panama Papers Data Leak

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Steven Soderbergh is making a movie about the infamous Panama Papers, TheWrap has confirmed.

The filmmaker is producing the feature along with Lawrence Grey of Grey Matter Productions and Michael Sugar of Anonymous Content.

Soderbergh is also considering directing the film. Scott Z. Burns, who has worked on Soderbergh films “Contagion,” “The Informant!” and “Side Effects” will write the screenplay.

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Based on investigative reporter Jake Bernstein’s upcoming book “The Secrecy World,” the film will follow how the journalist helped unearthed an unprecedented 11.5 million files that linked some of the world’s most powerful figures to offshore bank accounts and shell companies used to hide wealth and avoid taxes.

Among those named in the documents unearthed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, were close associates of Russian president Vladimir Putin, the father of British Prime Minister David Cameron, relatives of China’s president Xi Jinping and soccer player Lionel Messi.

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Bernstein’s book is said to contain new, revelatory facts about findings in the documents that link royalty and political leaders to corrupt financial practices.

12 Hollywood Heavyweights for and Against Sean Parker's Screening Room Proposal

AGAINST: Roland Emmerich
The "Independence Day: Resurgence" director joined the chorus of Parker detractors saying, "it's crucial that we support and protect the cinematic experience."
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FOR: Peter Jackson
The "Hobbit" helmer said the device "does not play off studio against theater owner. Instead it respects both, and is structured to support the long term health of both exhibitors and distributors."
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FOR: Steven Spielberg
Perhaps the most important of all backers, Mr. Spielberg is also an advisor to Parker.
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AGAINST: James Cameron
The "Titanic" and "Avatar" director joined producer Jon Landau in blasting the conceit, saying, "we don’t understand why the industry would want to provide audiences an incentive to skip the best form to experience the art that we work so hard to create.”
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FOR: Martin Scorsese
The iconic director also serves as one of Parker's advisors.
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FOR: J.J. Abrams
The gatekeeper of the "Star Wars" universe sits on Parker's panel of advisers.
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AGAINST: Jon Landau
The mega-grossing producer blasted Parker's notion in a joint statement with director James Cameron, saying "both Jim and I remain committed to the sanctity of the in-theater experience. For us, from both a creative and financial standpoint, it is essential for movies to be offered exclusively in theaters for their initial release."
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AGAINST: Christopher Nolan
The "Interstellar" director echoed support for Screening Room dissenters James Cameron and Jon Landau, saying "it would be hard to express the great importance of exclusive theatrical presentation to our industry more compellingly than Jon Landau and James Cameron did."
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FOR: Ron Howard
In remarks with Grazer, Howard said "Screening Room uniquely provides [a] solution."
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AGAINST: M. Night Shyamalan
The "Signs" director has opposed the proposal, tweeting, "Once filmmakers & theater owners open the door to this idea, there is no going back. The movie going experience is something to fight for!"
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FOR: Brian Grazer
In a joint statement with director Ron Howard, the prolific producer said Screening Room is "fair, balanced and provides significant value for the entire industry that we love. We make movies for the big screen and for as many people to see it."
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FOR: Frank Marshall
The prolific producer is on a board of Parker's advisors for this specific concept.
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