"Harry Potter' star Daniel Radcliffe is in talks to take on a leading role in "Grand Theft Auto', a film inspired by true events revolving around tensions between the "Grand Theft Auto' creator and an American lawyer who sought to ban video game violence.
Backed by BBC Films, the movie will be directed by Owen Harris, who previously worked on U.K.'s comedy-drama "Misfits' and anthology show "Black Mirror.'
Harris recently finished his first feature film, "Kill Your Friends', starring Nicholas Hoult and James Corden. The "Black Mirror' episode that he directed had starred Haley Atwell and Domhnall Gleeson.
Radcliffe will take on the role of Sam Houser, the British president and co-founder of Rockstar Games; the company is known for developing "GTA' as well as other popular games such as "Max Payne' and "Red Dead.'
Houser has been recognized for making "GTA' one of the biggest video game franchises in the world. However, such game has been met with mixed responses, including negative reviews for those who seek to limit video game violence.
In the early 2000s, Houser and Rockstar Games was attacked by activist lawyer Jack Thompson, who already made a name for himself after attacking media companies for "glorifying' rap music and explicit lyrics.
In the video game industry, "GTA' continually came under attack as one of Thompson's preferred targets. The unorthodox Florida lawyer was then disbarred several years later for inappropriate behavior.
The part for Thompson has not been filled up yet.
James Wood has joined the team to write the script for the movie, which had been previously titled "Rockstar Games.' The title, however, is expected to undergo changes. Jim Spencer will be producing while Mark Hedgecoe has been set to executive produce.
"GTA' is expected to begin filming on April 20.
Radcliffe appears next in "Victor Frankenstein', Fox's new adaptation of the classic monster tale which has been set for a release on October 2. The "Woman In Black' star also recently completed the "Now You See Me' sequel for Lionsgate.
