Angelina Jolie is to play the widow of murdered journalist Daniel Pearl in a new film, it was announced today. A Mighty Heart will be made by her partner Brad Pitt's production company Plan B. British film-maker Michael Winterbottom is set to direct, according to Variety.
The film is based on Mariane Pearl's own memoir. She was pregnant when her husband was kidnapped by Muslim militants in Pakistan in 2002 and endured a desperate few months before his body was found.
"I am delighted that Angelina Jolie will be playing my role in the adaptation of my book," Pearl said. "I deeply admire her work and what she is committed to. I am also happy that Michael Winterbottom, a versatile and talented director who genuinely loves truth, will be working on this project as well."
A Mighty Heart will be the first major film project for Jolie, 31, following the birth of daughter Shiloh in May. It is one of two movies being planned about Pearl's death. This will be the first film Winterbottom has made for a US studio. His previous work includes 24 Hour Party People, Welcome To Sarajevo and the recent Road To Guantanamo.
