Sony Pictures Entertainment Options Glenn Greenwald’s Book On Edward Snowden

Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that it optioned the 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.

Greenwald’s highly-anticipated 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 thrilling personal narrative of the events as they unfolded, and an important historical reflection on the broader implications of the NSA’s activities.

Commenting on the announcement, Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, said, “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.  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.”

Greenwald added, “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.”

Wilson and Broccoli are the team behind the legendary James Bond film franchise and are responsible for producing some of the most successful James Bond movies ever, including Skyfall, the first Bond title to gross over one billion dollars at the worldwide box office.  Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented, “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.”

The book, released worldwide on May 13, 2014, and translated into more than 20 languages, was published in the U.S. by Metropolitan Books, an imprint of Henry Holt & Company.  The book is already receiving critical praise—”gripping” and “impassioned” (New York Times); “a monumentally important book” (Globe and Mail)— and is expected to be a bestseller worldwide.

Overseeing for the studio is Elizabeth Cantillon, Columbia Pictures’ executive vice president of production.  The deal was brokered by Lucy Stille at Paradigm and Dan Conaway at Writers House.