Jolie to play widow of Wall Street Journal writer

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador U.S. actress Angelina Jolie adjusts her headphones during a session at the Open Forum 2006 which is part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland in this file photo dated January 27, 2006. REUTERS/Pierre Verdy/Files (SWITZERLAND)

Angelina Jolie will star as the widow of murdered Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in a new movie produced by Brad Pitt's company, distributor Paramount Vantage said on Thursday.

"A Mighty Heart" is adapted from Mariane Pearl's memoir of the same name which details Pearl's search for her husband, who was abducted and beheaded by militants in Pakistan in early 2002. Jolie will portray Pearl.

"The film will focus on the deep collaboration between people around the world in search of Daniel in 2002," Pitt told People magazine. "We hope the film can increase understanding between people of all faiths."

English filmmaker Michael Winterbottom, famed for such war-based films as "Welcome to Sarajevo" and "The Road to Guantanamo," will direct.

Jolie recently gave birth to the couple's daughter, Shiloh Nouvel, in Namibia, Africa, and the family has returned to Los Angeles. Pitt's Plan B production company will make the movie with Revolution Films, and Paramount Vantage, which is the art-house arm of Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures, will distribute.