Angelina Jolie is in talks to direct the World War II drama "Unbroken" for Universal Pictures, the studio said Tuesday.

The film is based on the Laura Hillenbrand 2010 bestseller "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption,” which chronicles the life of Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini, who was captured by the Japanese navy and detained at a prisoner-of-war camp after suffering a near-fatal plane crash and surviving on a raft for 47 days.

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“I read Laura Hillenbrand’s brilliant book, and 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. “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.”

The "Salt" actress made her directorial debut with last year's war drama "In the Land of Blood and Honey."

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"Les Misérables" writer William Nicholson wrote the latest draft for the project. An earlier draft was written by Richard LaGravanese ("P.S. I Love You"). Matthew Baer ("The Replacement Killers") and Erwin Stoff ("The Blind Side") are producing, with Mick Garris executive-producing.

Walden Media's chief executive officer Michael Bostick and senior vice president of production Amanda Morgan-Palmer will oversee the project on behalf of Walden Media, which is co-financing and co-producing. Universal co-president of production Peter Cramer and vice president of production Kristin Lowe will handle oversight for Universal.