Mike Nichols to Direct Sorkin Screenplay? Julia Roberts to Star?

Variety is reporting that Julia Roberts is in talks to star in the film.


From Reuters/Hollywood Reporter:
"LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Mike Nichols is in discussions to direct Tom Hanks in "Charlie Wilson's War," a CIA drama based on a book by a former "60 Minutes" producer.

The Universal Pictures project centers on the CIA's covert operation in Afghanistan to arm the mujahideen during the 1980s. The covert ops were engineered by Charlie Wilson, a charismatic, wheeler-dealer, liberal Texas congressman who teamed with a rogue CIA operative. 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. Many of the men armed by the CIA went on to become the Taliban's enforcers and Osama bin Laden's protectors.

Aaron Sorkin, creator of "The West Wing," adapted George Crile's book for the big screen. Universal and Hanks' Playtone Prods. optioned the book in July 2003 for a reported $2.5 million advance.

Nichols most recently directed Sony Pictures' "Closer" and the Emmy-winning HBO miniseries "Angels in America.""