The Coen brothers Ethan and Joel signed on to work on the screenplay for Unbroken, a historical drama about American World War II hero Lou Zamperini that Angelina Jolie will direct.  

The Coens will rewrite the script, which is an adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand's 2010 book, for Universal Pictures and Walden Media. The studio claimed rights to the book in January 2011 and Jolie signed on as director in December, though Hollywood Reporter noted it was initially offered to Water for Elephants director Francis Lawrence.

Sources said Jolie has been very picky in searching for writers to take on the project. She will produce the film with Matthew Baer and Erwin Stoff. 

The Coen brothers have been nominated for five Academy Awards in the writing category and won two: for No Country for Old Men and Fargo. 

Olympian athlete and Air Force officer Zamperini survived for 47 days on a raft without food or water when his U.S. plane crashed in the Pacific in 1943. He endured shark attacks, aerial attacks along with extreme hunger before he was captured by Japanese after he was washed ashore on an island, according to The Guardian. He was imprisoned and tortured for two years. He survived in the end and is now 96. 

"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 released in January, when it was first announced that she would direct Unbroken. "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 first film Jolie directed was 2011's In the Land of Blood and Honey and Unbroken will be the first time she directs for a major studio, according to the news report.

Tags: Angelina Jolie