Bill Paxton will play Jack Thompson, the attorney who tried to destroy the video games company Rockstar Games in a new series for the BBC. Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe will play Sam Houser, the co-founder of the company responsible for the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Bill PaxtonBill Paxton will play Florida lawyer Jack Thompson in the BBC's Grand Theft Auto drama

The BBC drama is based on David Kushner's 2012 book Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto. It told the story of Thompson, a former Florida lawyer known for his anti-videogame stance who attempted to quash 'obscenity' in modern culture. He first filed a suit against Rockstar parent Take Two Interactive in 2003 and continued his crusade against the best-selling franchise throughout the decade. His was eventually disbarred in 2008 for inappropriate behavior.

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Of his character, Paxton told Deadline: "He got Howard Stern kicked off the radio and took on 2 Live Crew. There'd be a gag order and he'd still go on talk shows. He would write these hateful letters to people he was litigating. He just got too emotionally caught up in it."

British director Owen Harris - who helmed episodes of Misfits and Black Mirror - is directing the drama as a two-partner written by James Wood. The movie is scheduled to begin shooting April 20. 

Paxton is still highly thought of in the TV and movie world. He last appeared in Nightcrawler with Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as Edge of Tomorrow with Tom Cruise. 

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