They like him. They really like him!
That's the word coming from inside sources on Two and a Half Men, who confirm an offer has been made to Ashton Kutcher to return for an (expected) 10th season.
We know that the Modern Family cast isn't asking for Friends-type money (only a fifth of it). But is Ashton?
Yes, he is. Sources confirm the current offer being discussed is about $1 million per episode, which, assuming the series produces 22 episodes in the season, brings his annual Men salary to $22 million. (Try not to be too impressed at our multiplication skills.)
"The talks are going well and we're getting close to finalizing," a source familiar with the negotiations tells us. Reps for the network and studio have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Ashton currently reportedly makes $700,000 per episode, while Charlie Sheen raked in $1.25 million in his final season.
"I don't see any reason to continue without [Ashton]," Two and a Half Men boss Chuck Lorre told us. "He's a delight, he's a really nice man and he's a really easygoing guy, he's very relaxed and very professional. He shows up and he's ready to work, he's prepared and he brings it."
Though CBS has yet to officially announce a pickup for a 10th Men season, the series is fully expected to be on the roster when the network's full season lineup is announced mid-May.
Are you fans happy Ashton is sticking around? Sound off in the comments!