4 Sep 2014

Phone hacking: Clooney to direct the movie

News that George Clooney is to direct a movie about the phone hacking scandal has caused a buzz – but who should he cast? Channel 4 News’ Hayley Barlow has some tongue-in-cheek suggestions.

Andy Coulson and Justin Bieber (Getty)

Andy Coulson: given the baby-faced Bieber’s recent run-ins with the law, he has more in common with the former NoW editor than you might think.

Rebekah Brooks and Mick Hucknall

Rebekah Brooks: holding back the years – lookalike Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall tipped to make his acting debut?

Rupert Murdoch and Mr Burns from The Simpsons

Rupert Murdoch: excellent – if Mr Murdoch had spent as much time at his Wapping plant as Mr Burns spent at Springfield nuclear power plant he might have seen the trouble coming.

Tony Blair and Martin Sheen

Tony Blair: famous for playing the former PM in three different films, actor Michael Sheen could slip back into character as Rebekah Brook’s “call me if you need to” adviser.

Neville Thurlbeck and Jim Carter

Neville Thurlbeck: the role of the former News of the World chief reporter should be a cinch for this dead ringer – Downton Abbey star Jim Carter currently plays Mr Carson in the period drama.

James Murdoch and Herr Flick from 'Allo, 'Allo

James Murdoch: an uncanny resemblance between Murdoch Jnr and Herr Flick of ‘Allo, ‘Allo fame surely makes for easy casting?

Colin Myler and Roy Hodgson

Colin Myler: could the current England football coach Roy Hodgson be persuaded to swap green for big screen to play the former News of the World editor?

Glenn Mulcaire and Roland Rat

Glenn Mulcaire: we’re not sure of the availability of the rodent credited with saving TV-am, but Roland Rat might draw the line at playing the man whose hacking activities triggered the demise of the News of the World.