Julia Roberts May Join Hanks in Charlie Wilson's War

According to Variety, Julia Roberts is considering co-starring with Tom Hanks in Universal’s Charlie Wilson’s War, this will be her first onscreen role since 2004's Ocean's Twelve. Roberts is in early talks to board the project with her Closer director Mike Nichols. Tom Hanks is producing the film with Playtone partner Gary Goetzman. Hanks announced last year that he'd play Charlie Wilson, the rogue Texas congressman who oversaw the covert funding of the Afghan rebels in their battle against the Soviet Union. Roberts, who took time off after giving birth to twins, is in talks to play Joanne Herring, a big-haired and beautiful Texas socialite who influenced Wilson to support the rebel cause.Based on the book by 60 Minutes producer George Crile, Charlie Wilson's War was scripted by Aaron Sorkin. Production will begin later this year. At press time neither Roberts nor Nichols have started negotiations.