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June 18, 2004
Sorkin to draft Uni Pics' 'War'
By Borys Kit
Hollywood Reporter
"The West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin will write an adaptation
of "Charlie Wilson's War," a nonfiction book by George Crile. Tom
Hanks and Gary Goetzman are producing through their Playtone banner,
while Universal Pictures will distribute.
"War" is the story of the CIA's covert operation in Afghanistan to
arm the mujahedeen. It was engineered by Charlie Wilson, a
charismatic, womanizing, liberal Texas congressman who teamed up with
a rogue CIA operative named Gust Avrakatos. The two manipulated
Congress, the CIA and a host of foreign governments in order to
assist the Afghan rebels in their fight against the Soviets in the
1980s. Universal and Playtone optioned the book in July.
Universal vp production Damien Saccani and creative executive Megan
Gerard are overseeing.
Sorkin recently sold "The Farnsworth Invention" to New Line for a
reported $2.5 million against 3% of the gross. Sources said the "War"
deal is comparable. Sorkin's other credits include writing "A Few
Good Men" and "The American President" and creating the critically
acclaimed TV show "Sports Night." He also is writing a play for the
Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.
Posted by Jo at June 18, 2004 10:20 AM