Charlie Sheen may be “winning” once again.
The former “Two and a Half Men” star has reportedly struck a deal for a new sitcom with Lionsgate Television.
“Charlie has inked a deal with Lionsgate Television to create and star in a new sitcom,” a source told RadarOnline.com. “Charlie’s character will be very similar to the one he played on ‘Two And a Half Men,’ however the show will be a lot racier.”
The source said that cable networks have gotten into a bidding war, with TBS leading the pack of those interested in having the show.
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“Plus cable makes more sense because it offers more creative freedom,” the insider said. “In other words the show can be raunchier and more outrageous, which is perfect for Charlie!
“Lionsgate Television will produce the show. They have committed to ten episodes up front with the option to pick-up and produce 90 more episodes if the ratings prove to be successful. This means the sitcom could be on TV for 8 years, which is a long time! It also means that Charlie will make more money than ever before!”
But Sheen, 45, who made a whopping $2 million over at CBS, won’t be able to command the same salary.
“Charlie will make less upfront which is a plus for Lionsgate. … This way Lionsgate is less at risk of losing money should the show flop or should Charlie have some sort of meltdown,” the source said.
It remains unclear how much Sheen would earn if his new show is picked up.
Sheen sued Warner Bros. and “Men” executive producer Chuck Lorre on March 10, days after Sheen was fired from his starring role on television’s top-rated comedy.
Sheen sued, claiming they breached his contract and halted work on “Two and a Half Men” to punish Sheen for a pair of hospitalizations and comments in which he attacked Lorre personally in a series of highly-publicized interviews.
He also claimed the studio was trying to cut him out of royalties he is owed for the broadcast of reruns and DVD sales.
“Two and a Half Men,” which debuted in 2003, starred Sheen as womanizing bachelor Charlie Harper, who creates an ad hoc family with his neurotic brother, the divorced Alan and his son Jake.
With AP