"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.

Sorkin is repped by Endeavor and attorney Richard Heller.