Jolie, Coen Brothers Join Forces on 'Unbroken'
Angelina Jolie has teamed up with the Coen brothers on the upcoming adaptation of "Unbroken."
Walden Media and Universal Studios already tapped Jolie to direct the high-profile film, but the famed movie-making brothers were also added this week.
While Ethan and Joel Coen usually direct and produce their own screenwriting, the brothers are set to rewrite the script for "Unbroken" while Jolie takes the directorial duties, according to TheWrap.
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Jolie made her directorial debut with "In the Land of Blood and Honey" last year, but "Unbroken" will mark her first take on a major studio film. The film will follow the extraordinary life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who went on to become a prisoner of war during WWII.
"[Zamperini] is a true hero and a man with an immense humanity, faith, and courage," Jolie said in a statement at the time she was named director of "Unbroken."
"I am deeply honored to have the chance to tell his inspiring story," the 37-year-old actress added.
Universal executives explained last year that Jolie had campaigned for the directorial position for "Unbroken" against a number of other directors.
"In her life and in her work, Angelina has embraced stories and causes involving great struggle and triumph over tremendous odds and the basic human condition," said Adam Fogelson and Donna Langley in a statement.
"She has a real ability to illustrate the strength in human spirit which will be essential in telling Lou's story of survival and great heroism," they added.
The Coen brothers are well known for films that include "Fargo," "The Big Lebowski," and "No Country For Old Men," among many others.
"Gladiator" and "Les Miserables" writer William Nicholson penned the first script for "Unbroken."
The Coen brothers' script will be based on author Laura Hillenbrand's book "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption."
Hillenbrand is well known for her book "Seabiscuit," which became a critically acclaimed film. The author has been on The New York Times bestseller list for over 108 consecutive weeks.
