Angelina Jolie has cast "300: Rise of an Empire" star Jack O'Connell as Louis Zamperini in Universal's "Unbroken," an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
"Unbroken" is based on the bestselling book by "Seabiscuit" author Laura Hillenbrand.
Also read: Angelina Jolie Double-Mastectomy Disclosure Greeted with flood of support
O'Connell was one of three actors testing to play American track star Zamperini, who lived an incredible life that included surviving a plane crash only to become a POW in a Japanese prison camp during WWII.
O'Connell's competition for the coveted role included Dane DeHaan and Alexander Dreymon.
The Coen brothers recently rewrote "Unbroken," which Universal will release on Christmas Day next year against Disney's "Into the Woods" and Sony's "Annie."
Also read: Angelina Jolie, Matthew Vaughn Eyeing '300' Sequel Star Jack O'Connell for Lead Roles
O'Connell is repped by Conway van Gelder Grant and CAA.