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June 21, 2004
Sorkin Drafted for War
Tom Hanks and his Playtone shingle bring on former West Wing-er Aaron Sorkin for political adaptation.
By Mark Umbach
filmstew.com
Moving from The West Wing to Congress and the CIA, Aaron Sorkin has been recruited by Universal Pictures to adapt the George Crile novel Charlie Wilson's War about the U.S.' help in mobilizing the Afghanis after they were invaded by the Soviet Union. Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman are producing the project under their Playtone banner, which has been beefing up its slate of American historical projects.
Crile's book focuses on womaninzing, liberal Texas congressman Charlie Wilson and rebellious CIA agent Gust Avrakatos who helped bring arms and training into Afghanistan to help fight off the Soviet invasion. In doing so, the U.S./Afghan alliance took the first step in ending the Cold War. At the same time, however, they helped arm and bring to power the Taliban and terrorists - including Osama bin Laden.
Playtone picked up rights to the novel last year. Damien Saccani and Megan Gerard will now oversee the project's production and development for Universal.
Universal and Playtone have been hoping to land Sorkin for the adaptation since they came together on the project. He will adapt the script after completing a play at Dublin's Abbey Theater. This is the second feature writing project Sorkin has taken since leaving his Emmy-winning West Wing. He recently scripted The Farnsworth Invention for New Line. In addition, he's in the midst of creating a new drama for CBS focusing on the behind-the-scenes drama of a sketch comedy show.
Sorkin is repped by Endeavor.
Posted by Jo at June 21, 2004 08:46 AM