When the FIFA scandal recently broke out, leaving the world's most popular sport in a most embarrassing position (John Oliver has been killing them), it was only a matter of time before Hollywood would come running to tell the story. A couple of months ago the FBI and newly-appointed Attorney General Loretta Lynch arrested a number of top FIFA execs on corruption and bribery charges, and now the story of just how deep the corruption goes is being brought to the big screen by Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gavin O'Connor.
Affleck and Damon will produce an adaptation of Buzzfeed journalist Ken Bensinger’s book Houses of Deceit, with O'Connor on board to direct. O'Connor, who will also co-write the screenplay, recently directed Affleck in The Accountant, and it's that collaboration which is driving this project. O'Connor was the one who first brought the book to Affleck's attention, and then he tossed it over to Warner Bros. who have spent the last week negotiating for the rights. The book largely centers on American FIFA exec Chuck Blazer, and is described as the definitive account of his role in the largest sports and public corruption scandal in history.
Warner Bros. will likely want to strike while the iron is hot on this and get moving quickly. One thing we can be sure of is that it will be more hard-hitting than United Passions, the pro-FIFA propaganda flick FIFA put out weeks ago and was widely criticized. [THR]
