GTA drama: BBC want Daniel Radcliffe to play Rockstar boss Sam Houser

The BBC is pursuing Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe to play Rockstar co-founder and president Sam Houser in its upcoming TV drama based on the creation of Grand Theft Auto. The Hollywood Reporter (THR) also says filming is set to begin in April.

Owen Harris, the British director of multiple episodes of E4's Misfits and Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror for Channel 4, is at the helm of the feature-length TV movie being developed by BBC Films. According to THR the drama will chronicle the spat between Rockstar and infamous lawyer Jack Thompson.

Thompson's lengthy and storied feud with the Grand Theft Auto series memorably ended when he was disbarred in 2008 for inappropriate conduct. The lawyer also crusaded against rap music and other video games such as Rockstars' Bully and Manhunt, as well as Mortal Kombat.

Based on a book by David Kushner, Jacked: The Outlaw Story Of Grand Theft Auto, the drama does not yet have a title, but was once given the tentative title of Rockstar Games. According to THR shooting begins on 20 April, so further announcements regarding a cast can be expected then.

Grand Theft Auto has been a world-conquering entertainment juggernaut since GTA 3 on the PS2 first sent shockwaves through the industry in 2001. In 2013 and 2014 Rockstar released GTA 5, first on previous gen consoles and then on PS4 and Xbox One. As of the end of 2014, the game had sold 45 million copies. The PC version is set for release on 14 April 2015.