'West Wing' creator Sorkin sets deal with WB

HOLLYWOOD (Reuters) -- Hot off his multiple Emmy nominations for "The West Wing," writer/producer Aaron Sorkin has sealed a new $16 million deal with Warner Bros. Television.

The four-year development and production pact, which kicks in immediately, calls for Sorkin to continue as executive producer on the acclaimed White House drama while eventually developing new projects for the studio.

Sorkin's pact is a coup for Warner Bros. Television and studio president Peter Roth, who persuaded the scribe to reconsider his opposition to long-term deals.

	2000 EMMY NOMINEES
Click for a list of the major nominations for comedy, drama, miniseries and more

"I've never had a deal anywhere before," Sorkin said. "I had resisted it. Making an overall deal seemed unwriterly, somehow. It seemed to me that writers should be freelance writers."

But Roth eventually won Sorkin over.

The scribe will continue to focus on "The West Wing," as it enters its second season in the fall, rather than immediately diving into the development soup. The NBC drama recently picked up 18 Primetime Emmy nominations -- including best drama -- while Sorkin took two nominations for drama writing.

"'West Wing' really occupies all of my time," he said. "I like it that way. Obviously, there's an expectation that somewhere down the road I'll develop a new TV series."

When he eventually does start working on that next project, Sorkin said it will likely emulate his successful formula of either blending drama into a half-hour laffer or comedy into an hourlong drama. He also expects to continue collaborating with director Thomas Schlamme.

Despite the rich new pact, Sorkin said he hasn't turned his back on screenwriting or playwriting. His feature credits include "A Few Good Men" and "The American President." Sorkin said he was approached with feature rewrite jobs this summer, but turned them down.

"I love movies and plays, and I'm looking forward to writing more of them," he said. "But right now I only have eyes on "The West Wing."'

Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

NBC, HBO snag the most nominations
NBC's hit White House series has become a national civics lesson
May 8, 2000
Sorkin still writing on 'Sports Night,' 'West Wing'
March 16, 2000

NBC: West Wing

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.