Confirming earlier reports, The BBC on Wednesday officially announced casting and plot details for the network's upcoming 90-minute drama about the Grand Theft Auto series.
As rumored, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe will play the role of GTA co-creator Sam Houser, while Bill Paxton (Titanic, Apollo 13) will portray inflammatory lawyer Jack Thompson, who gained notoriety in the 2000s for taking on abrasive elements of pop culture.
Thompson's most notable target has been the GTA series, which he accused of "mentally molesting minors for money." After three police officers were killed by a professed Grand Theft Auto: Vice City player in Alabama, Thompson represented their families in a civil lawsuit to hold Take-Two responsible. He was eventually disbarred in 2008.
The BBC's GTA feature is in development under the working title Game Changer and will air on BBC Two.
In its official synopsis, The BBC says the GTA series is "arguably the greatest British coding success story since [World War II code-breaking institution] Bletchley Park." It adds: "Game Changer tells the story of an extraordinary chapter in the history of this iconic game, and reveals the major impact it has had on our cultural landscape."
A premiere date for Game Changer was not announced.
Game Changer is directed by Owen Harris (Kill Your Friends, Holy Flying Circus) and was written by James Wood (Rev., Ambassadors). Former GameSpot editor Guy Cocker is also on the writing team for the drama.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-drama-casts-daniel-radcliffe-and-bill-paxton/1100-6426802/
