Angelina Jolie is heading back to the director’s chair.
The Oscar winner is planning to direct the big screen adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand’s best-seller Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption.
Unbroken tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, a competitor at the 1936 Olympics who, as a U.S. Army Air Forces bombardier during World War II, survived a plane crash and then spent the rest of the war in a Japanese prison camp. Cue the tears!
“I was so moved by Louie Zamperini’s heroic story, I immediately began to fight for the opportunity to make this film,” Jolie said in a statement, via E! Online. ”Louie is a true hero and a man of immense humanity, faith and courage. I am deeply honored to have the chance to tell his inspiring story.”
Jolie made her directorial debut with the 2011 Bosnian war drama In the Land of Blood and Honey, which she also wrote. Though the film itself was met with mediocre reviews, critics seemed fond of Jolie’s efforts.
“Overall, Jolie has nothing to be embarrassed about and much of which to be proud with this movie,” wrote The Wrap’s Leah Rozen. ”Even in moments where the film doesn’t quite work, she shows ample evidence of ambition and a discerning director’s eye.”
The actress is currently shooting Maleficent – her four-year-old daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt reportedly has a minor role in it — which is set to hit theaters in 2014. However, earlier this month, Jolie told Britain’s Channel 4 News she would like to take a break from acting to spend more time with her children.
“I think I’m going to have to give up the acting as the kids hit the teenage years… too much to manage at home.”
