Oliver Stone to direct movie adaptation of 'The Snowden Files'

LONDON, June 2 (UPI) -- Oliver Stone plans to direct a new feature film about Edward Snowden.

The 67-year-old director (JFK, Natural Born Killers) and producer Moritz Borman have acquired the rights to The Snowden Files, The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man by Guardian journalist Luke Harding. The book was published by the Guardian in 2014, and is the first published work about former NSA contractor Edward Snowden's leak of classified material.

Stone will write and direct the adaptation, and Harding and other Guardian journalists have been brought on as production and story consultants.

"This is one of the greatest stories of our time," the director said in a statement. "A real challenge. I'm glad to have the Guardian working with us."

"The story of Edward Snowden is truly extraordinary," Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger added. "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."

Production on The Snowden Files is scheduled to begin by the end of the year. Stone last directed Savages in 2012.