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July 16th, 2010
01:49 PM ET
'West Wing' creator takes on John EdwardsWith "Charlie Wilson's War" and "The West Wing" among his writing credits, Aaron Sorkin is no stranger to political drama. Now he'll make his feature directorial debut with a movie about former presidential candidate John Edwards and his affair with mistress Rielle Hunter. The writer/producer has acquired the rights to Andrew Young's book, "The Politician: An Insider's Account of John Edwards's Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down," CNN confirmed.
"This is a first-hand account of an extraordinary story filled with motivations, decisions and consequences that would have lit Shakespeare up," said Sorkin, who will write and produce the film. In the book, Young, a confidant of Edwards, details the demands Edwards made of him during his 2008 campaign. But, Sorkin added, "There's much more to Andrew's book than what has been reported, and I'm grateful that he's trusting me with it." Now the big question is: Who will play Edwards? Any chance Tim Daly or Harry Hamlin are available?
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Either Robert Downey Jr. or even Rupert Everett, with his recent face lifts, could make a go at it.
This should be an interesting fliick, plenty of sleeze and WOW factor
Wouldn't Robert Downey Jr. be good for the part?
Nobody will do this better. Can't wait to see the results.
I am a huge fan of Aaron Sorkin so much so that whatever this guy writes I'll watch. With his TV series and movies he hasn't yet disapointed me. Personally, I don't care all that much about John Edwards because he had the potential to be a statesmen of which there are few and he turned out to be just another flawed human being. Maybe I'm being naive but it would be nice to have someone in politics that you could trust and believe in. Basically I want a hero, a good guy who will do the right thing no matter what but those people usually don't run for office. Anyway Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut should be incredibly interesting, to say the least.
The great scam artist, Kevin Trudeau – perfect for this part of scammer, John. As for Elizabeth, needs to be someone who watches over and over again her latest interview with Larry King. What a mess she was – not a good public speaker. So glad America dodged the bullet on both of them !
I think they should look at Pee Wee Herman to play Edwards
. Or what about Clinton...then you could do two stories at the same time.
Snoozerama.
I wonder who will play Aaron Sorkin in the movie about his cocaine habit?
Already did, it was Bradley Whitford in "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." Great show, you should check it out.
Jack McBrayer would make a good John Edwards:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Parcell
Why people enjoy exploiting someone else's trangressions and pain for a buck is beyond my comprehension. Forget John Edwards or the other adults involved, it's the hurt children that are forgotten. Let John Edwards and the other adults involved deal with their transgressions quietly and privately. Such trash should never reach paper or film. GREED...
I don't believe for a second that Sorkin has any concerns about anything but the bottom line, $$$. If he can make a buck on it, he's in.
Why not have a women portray john Edwards... Plenty of potential candidates... his wife, woopi Goldberg plus alot of makeup..
Am I the only person on the planet who is sick to death of reading, hearing and seeing the rampant decay of ethics. I'm not Pollyanna. I know that there is very little in the realm of vile behavior that humans will not sink to, but hasn't this particular story been driven into the ground and haven't these people been given more then enough of our time and newsprint. Move on.
I'd rather have someone do the mini-series "The Magic Mushrooms and Stash Bag of Aaron Sorkin", underwritten by the TSA and the US Customs Department with commentary from beyond the grave by Terrence McKenna and Timothy Leary.
Republiklans don't know what to think until Democrats take a position so they can oppose it.
AMEN
And vice versa, depending on who is in majority
Hopefully, Sorkin will use this film as an opportunity to depict the puritanical and ultra-hypocritical nature of American society and how that mindset has impacted the political process in this country. If his movie just focuses on the specific, sordid details of Edwards' fall then it will be a sad result for one of our more gifted writers. There's nothing special about John Edwards. Like millions of other men, in a moment of egotistical weakness he got into a physical relationship outside of his marriage and his life changed forever. Because he had used his family and his marriage as a political prop in his presidential campaign, he was pilloried by the press. I don't see anything compelling in Edwards' story, except for the way the press, especially the tabloids, went after him and destroyed his political career. This kind of self-emolation could only happen in the United States, where puritanical hypocrites get some kind of sick charge out of judging others. I hope Sorkin's film examines that aspect of our society. Then the film will be worth watching.
Amen John. Remember the Impeachment Trial of WJC over a decade ago and the trawrdy "Starr Report" and all the GOP hyprocrites who got busted screaming about "family values"? The more that get exposed the better.
If the film is for the big screen, the part needs to be played by Tom Cruise.
Certainly there are better political subjects than John Edwards for Mr. Sorkin to focus on. The man never even made it to being the party's candidate. If you want to focus on politicians with pedidillios....at least focus on those that managed to 'really' run for high office.
This should be great for Sorkin. His best works are all ones that skew far into fictional territory anyways (A Few Good Men, West Wing, American President) and anytime he gets too "real" he ends up becoming preachy. They should cast Aaron Eckart to play John Edwards... provided he can do that Carolina accent.
That is quite a step down, from relevant and gripping drama to banal tabloid crap. Certainly there must be a better way to make a living.
I think the whole sordid affair is a trajedy for everyone involved, but it is like a slow moving train wreck you can't help but watch.
Wait a minute. DIdn't I read somewhere or see somewhere that Rielle Hunter had an affair with Aaron Sorkin at one point in her life? Am I wrong? That is weird if they did. She is just bizarre.
I generally favor Democrats but I think John Edwards is a real sleaze bag, he should be played by the sleaziest actor they can find, maybe Mel Gibson?
Bingo!
Here's the casting of John Edwards: >>> Sean P. Hayes. <<<
Make him hit the weightroom and the tanning booth and he's got it.
Actually, that is not a a bad idea. Hayes clearly could replicate some of Edwards cosmetic touches, mannerisms and speeches. He is not that good looking though.
Please, no!!!! THis is a total waste of time. As someone who worked on the Edwards presidency campaign (both of them) I can say Young's book is mostly fiction and not even remotely good fiction at that. But if they do make this movie then they need to include Andrew Young's obvious gay feelings for John Edwards.
Anyone who has read Young's book or seen him in interviews knows that he would be as entertaining a character as any in a movie about Edwards. Talk about a con artist! Hoping Sorkin knows EXACTLY what he is getting into by dealing with Young in the first place. Would much rather see a film made out of Game Change.
Cracking up – I agree Game Change was an interesting book. As a film I think it would be more interesting than another "same old story" about politicians who have big ego's and can't keep their pants zipped.
no... Dennis Quaid is the obvious choice
Bill Paxton is the new Dennis Quaid.
First off, Mr Sorkin is neither a republican or a woman hater. As for being a woman hater, I am a woman, and I think John Edwards is more of woman hater than Mr Sorkin will ever be. This story is filled with lots of stuff and again, we the public do not know it all, here is a man running for the president of the united states and his ego is such that he carries on an affair while running for president while his cancer stricken wife is at his side and fighting her medical battle. Mr Edwards engages in cover ups and deception and more, this is a movie knuckleheads! As far as Mrs Edwards is concern, she had no problem writing a book and being on tv and the road promoting it and then going on Oprah to discuss it even further, she also did the rounds again when her book went into paperback, she is a business woman, always has been and the buck is more important to her than her privacy. Mrs Edwards also knew full well that her husband was having or had an affair when she stood next to him as he announced his run for presidency, she certainly did not seem to care about anyone else at that time so i'm not shedding any tears for her, if you read the book, you will also see another side of Mrs Edwards that you don't see on Oprah.
Well, aren't you just the open minded, hard core, don't give a care about anyone but yourself! Are you a psychiatrist that is capable of making a judgement as to whether "....she certianly did not seem to care about anyone else at that time"? You sound like the usual abusive brainless moron that will read anything as long as it is scandal no matter who it hurts.
Does anybody here proof read their comments before hitting the Post button?
No, Diana, actually Kelly's comments were intelligent and thoughtful, while yours were anything but. And I always enjoy the irony of people decrying the reading about this kind of scandal when they themselves are not only doing just that, but logging on and commenting about it. Guess what, Diana, you're part of your own problem. Kind of hilarious.
Sounds like they deserve each other.....
What a dirty, dirty dish-rag.
What a low brow. He is either a republican or a woman hater....but is there a difference????
Stereotype much??
Sorkin? A republican? What are you smoking? I want some!
Your comment about Republican's and women haters being one in the same is offensive and paints you as ignorant. Oh, and by the way, Mr. Sorkin is a Liberal Democrat.
your so funny , john edwards proves that he represents the core talent of being in the democratic party .. and that is you have to be a psycopath... liar and denier.
Oh please, is this really necessary?? Hasn't John's wife and kids been hurt enough by this disgusting affair??
Read "Game Change". Trust me, Elizabeth Edwards is no saint. She comes across like a tyrant. Not saying that she deserved this, but it sounds like they deserved each other.
Edwards is a cad plain and simple and his mistress is a STUPID homewrecker trying to whitewash what she did under the guise of helping someone find their "authentic" self. well honey you did just that and best of luck to you. you deserve nothing more than a man who would betray his family ... and for WHAT ?! they are both depraved and deserve a special place iin hell or maybe if they are so lucky serving Elizabeth and those precious innocent children on this Earth.
puhleeeez; i don't know who is worse: john edwards or his wife; elizabeth edwards is no saint, sick or not; she sounds like one vicious broad, and john edwards bilked his supporters out of a lot of campaign donations; i, for one, want a refund
Johns wife is as big a liar has her busband she deserves the exposure for trying to cover up the affair in her hopes of becomming first lady.
If you're not familiar with Aaron Sorkin's past work, it's easy to think the worse of this project.
But this is the guy that produced and wrote for the Emmy Award winning "the West Wing", which envisions a dialog between liberals and conservatives greater than our current political reality will allow.
Yes, there is the danger that everyone involved in this sad story will needlessly be dragged through the mud again. But insofar as our current political, and I think moral reality is concerned, all we have is mud everywhere. So I think if Mr. Sorkin can again "elevate the level of debate" from what it isn't, it's worth the risk.
Who cares? They wanted more than anything to be in the public spotlight, and now they have it.
This could be cathartic for Elizabeth.
no, they haven't ... and it's just beginning. Elizabeth Edwards was along for the ride every step of the way as long as she thought there was still a chance she could call 1600 Penna. Ave. home. She deserves every bit of scorn she's getting. They are the most hated couple in the country. Schadenfreude is a wonderful feeling!!
Can't wait for the happy day when I read about his bankruptcy (or the equally happy day when I'm reading her obituary!)
I think Jabba the Hut could easily play Edwards and Rosie O'Donnell would be a perfect St. Elizabeth (although she'd have to gain some weight).
Somebody said "Hasn't his wife & kids been hurt enough?" He's the one who hurt them. And she is a raging freak as well (and I'm talking about Elizabeth.) And the Raelle Nasty Ho is as well. Have the wife and kids been hurt enough? You know what? He should be forced (and Elizabeth) should be forced to give back every dollar that every moronic person donated to his bid for President. Stupid Stupid Stupid. Who should play them in a movie (and I'd pay $50.00 to see it) John – Any donkey in any farm in any country. OOPS, meant to say jack @SS. Elizabeth? Carney Wilson. Raellh-HO – just pick up a ho in Vegas or Atlantic City or Compton and it'll pass the test.