• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Sorkin to write Facebook story for big screen

Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:37am EDT
Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin poses as he arrives at the world premiere of the film ''Charlie Wilson's War'' in Los Angeles, December 10, 2007. REUTERS/ Fred Prouser

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Writer-producer Aaron Sorkin, creator of "The West Wing," is about to get a whole lot of friends on Facebook.

Entertainment  |  Technology  |  Film  |  Lifestyle  |  Media

Sorkin, one of Hollywood's highest-profile writers and TV show creators, is in negotiations to write an untitled film project about the founders of the popular social networking site that Scott Rudin will produce for Columbia.

Sorkin broke the news on Facebook when he opened up his own account.

"I understand there are a few other people using Facebook pages under my name -- which I find more flattering than creepy -- but this is me. I don't know how I can prove that, but feel free to test me," he wrote before going on to talk about the movie project.

"I figured a good first step in my preparation would be finding out what Facebook is, so I've started this page. (Actually it was started by my researcher, Ian Reichbach, because my grandmother has more Internet savvy than I do and she's been dead for 33 years.)"

Sorkin also asked the Facebook public for any stories relating to the site.

Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg while studying at Harvard along with pals Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes. Membership at first was restricted to Harvard students, then expanded to all Ivy League schools before going on to open up to all universities and high schools in Canada and the U.S. The site now has more than 100 million users worldwide.

He's fielded offers in the billions of dollars, but Zuckerberg has steadfastly remained independent.

Sorkin's most recent screenwriting credit is the Tom Hanks-starring film "Charlie Wilson's War." Rudin has "Revolutionary Road," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, and the film adaptation of the Broadway play "Doubt" coming out this fall.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter



More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article