14 Dec – As one of the highest paid Hollywood actresses, Angelina Jolie's role as the lead may have been one of the factors in Universal Studios' decision to obtain North American rights to the as-yet-untitled Luc Besson drama, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The project is described as a "dramatic thriller with action", with science-fiction elements thrown in, and is said to be a cross between Besson's previous positively received movies such as "The Professional" and "The Fifth Element". The screenplay has already been written by Besson for his new project, which he is also set to produce and direct. Universal picked up 80 percent of worldwide distribution rights to the project, and touted the currently untitled project as Besson's return to the genre that made his name. Meanwhile, Jolie is fresh off her directorial feature film debut, "In the Land of Blood and Honey" which is said to be opening on 23 December in the U.S. The 36-year-old actress has several projects lined up, which includes the high-profile biopic of Gertrude Bell. However, Universal has yet to land the rights, which has Ridley Scott attached to direct so it seems that Besson's new movie will be her next appearance. Shooting is set to begin on April 2012 in Paris.