Joseph Gordon-Levitt Just Landed A Very Controversial Role

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's next film is a far cry from 500 Days of Summer. Can you deal?

After months of speculation, the actor has officially signed on to play NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden in The Snowden Files. Oliver Stone will be writing and directing the drama, which is based on Time of the Octopus, the book written by Snowden’s lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena.

What the film lacks in, say Hall & Oates musical numbers, it should compensate in tension and intrigue. Snowden has been a controversial and divisive figure since releasing classified documents last summer. The former analyst is still on the run, and is said to be hiding in Russia.

Production on the film should be underway by early next year. Will a meaty role like this set JGL set up for Oscar glory? Let the buzz begin. (Variety)