Angelina Jolie In 'Gertrude Bell': Actress In Talks For Ridley Scott Film

Angelina Jolie is set to play an iconic Middle East leader. But not the one you might be expecting.

While Jolie has been attached to play Cleopatra in a long-gestating biopic for some time now, her next foray into that part of the world will take her only a century back in time. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jolie is in talks to play the title role in "Gertrude Bell," a film about the early 20th century English woman whose adventures and diplomacy in the region helped set the stage for new, more modern governments.

As an explorer, archaeologist and British intelligence agent, she mapped much of the region and was able to bridge cultural gaps between leaders and people in the region and the European nations.

Ridley Scott would direct, following the long-awaited sequel to "Alien," the Michael Fassbender-starring "Prometheus."

Jolie's career has touched down in the Middle East on a number of occasions, from her time as Lara Croft in "Tomb Raider" to her turn as Mariane Pearl in "A Mighty Heart." She makes her directorial debut with another foreign-set pic, "In The Land of Blood and Honey."

For more, click over to The Hollywood Reporter.

Comments

[American252525]

08:35 AM on 11/22/2011

Jolie needs to get on making Salt 2.... Its been a while... can't leave us with a ending like that in Salt 1

[Parade Keegan]

10:49 PM on 11/21/2011

I don't think Angelina needs a wingman, she's navigating life quite nicely. I've only seen one or two of her films, not because she's not a good actress but she has such a "large personality" I can't "see" the characters she playing, I see Angelina.

[kiran1207]

09:52 PM on 11/21/2011

I dont think she looks egyptian

[gosteelers]

08:40 PM on 11/21/2011

angie, u r a great actress. i love all your movies.

[quedog]

09:59 AM on 11/21/2011

only thing i want to see her in is
wanted part 2
or
salt part 2

[mikeriverdrive]

08:32 AM on 11/21/2011

Jealous much? Thats what it sounds like to me. How can anyone say she is not a good actress? you're joking right?

[Caryn Banker]

06:28 PM on 11/21/2011

Personally, I don't think she's a very good actress, fair to middling, maybe. I find it hard to watch her on-screen. I find no nuance in her portrayals, which is fine for something like "Wanted", but frustrating for something like "A Mighty Heart" or "The Changeling". Although I greatly admire her work and sincerity in her personal life and dedication to refugees. And of course she is stunning. Everyone has a different view on what they like to watch.

[feelurban]

08:31 PM on 11/21/2011

whatever your view, Angelina has an Oscar, 2 SAGs and 3 Golden Globes, I think that qualifies her as a great actress.

[Bickidan]

08:23 AM on 11/21/2011

Some people use their lives on a sociopathic quest for more more more. Here's a woman, despite being a Hollywood icon (and a decent actress), who maintains a sense of balance in her life and contributes to some people's understanding of the world around them. Not bad, Angie. Not bad.

[Karama]

05:57 PM on 11/21/2011

I like your post!

[uspattys]

01:35 AM on 11/21/2011

Jolie as Gertrude Bell??? Please noooo...It needs to be a Tilda Swinton or someone with a modicum of class surely Shirley....

[agness nutter]

01:35 AM on 11/24/2011

Tilda Swinton would be brilliant.

[Bernard Alvin Mantos]

10:25 PM on 11/20/2011

Those who have been driven forth from their homes wrongfully,only because they say OUR LORD IS THE GOD. aND IF GOD HAD NOT REPELLED SOME MEN BY OTHERS,CLOISTERS,AND,CHURCHES,AND ORATORIES,AND MOSQUES,WHEREIN THE NAME OF GOD IS EVER COMMEMORATED, wOULD surely have been destroyed and him who helpeth God WILL God surely help:or God is right strong,mighty:-Those who, if we establish them in this land,will observe prayer,and pay the alms of obligations,and enjoin what is right,and forbid what is evil. and The final issue of all things is Unto GOD.

[Dots]

03:33 PM on 11/20/2011

She chooses well.

[jonjon tha 5 8]

07:41 AM on 11/20/2011

The comments on any story about Angelina Jolie always remind me that Jennifer Aniston is the patron saint of Iosers.

[aviandonn]

11:18 AM on 11/20/2011

Amen. I've never understood the obsession with the talentless and ceaselessly self promoting Aniston. Besides showing up for every Red Carpet event to show off her latest outfit, and making money-losing movies universally panned by critics, and whining about how Brad did her wrong, what exactly does Aniston do?

[by-the-sea-]

01:28 PM on 11/20/2011

You sound quite bitter. Aniston must have screwed you over somehow, hmm? You're going to give yourself a heart attack, harboring all that negativity!

[bikerdude]

08:59 PM on 11/20/2011

I personally thing Jennifer is as cute as a button and I enjoy watching her do just about anything... Your sour grapes aside, why post junk like you just did?

[happycat]

07:59 PM on 11/20/2011

Not to worry. That title still belongs to the woman who gave birth to you.

[MrsBillingsley]

02:01 AM on 11/20/2011

Right on Angie!!

[SADWING]

01:02 AM on 11/20/2011

Not only beautiful, but talented.

[J Osteen]

04:32 PM on 11/21/2011

Yeah - except for the ever-greasy puss.

[SADWING]

10:46 PM on 11/21/2011

lol... that doesn't bother me one bit.

[OliveskinnedGirl]

12:06 AM on 11/20/2011

Oh geez it's St. Strangie again on HP, if I don't gush all over this woman her sheep will be all hurt and get all nasty and mean and have to come to her defense, man how they must stay up all night knowing that not everyone cares about this woman as much as they do!!

[triplettam]

05:41 AM on 11/20/2011

Wow. You really don't like her. I do, but your comment didn't get me upset. Means no nevermind to me. I'm not THAT invested in her. What I don't understand is why--if they don't like an artist--people feel compelled to come to an article about them and just go off. Do you really think you're going to change somebody's mind about what they like? I go to YouTube sometimes to hear some music I'd been told about and if I don't like it, I just leave. Don't stick around to write comments and insult everyone who thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread or hit the dislike button; I just go. That's really the the most reasonable thing to do if reason is-in fact--your religion. Getting mad every time you see her name will just give you ulcers. And I for sure wouldn't watch her movies.

[Lisa Mona]

05:49 AM on 11/20/2011

Preach, much? I guess so, at least early Sunday AM.

[Trans Parent]

05:59 AM on 11/20/2011

A 150-200 word response to someone who states an opinion
about an actress? It's time for you to go to sleep, DW.

[Crystalllline]

10:14 PM on 11/20/2011

Branjeloonies!

[OliveskinnedGirl]

09:20 PM on 11/21/2011

My brvae soldier and you weren't attacked!! F&F

[happycat]

11:48 PM on 11/19/2011

Oh no! She gets to showcase her Transylvanian accent again.

[GracieGiraffe]

12:01 AM on 11/20/2011

Gawd.... this might be worse than when Brad played that Northern Irish IRA guy.

[happycat]

01:23 AM on 11/20/2011

I happily missed that one.

[Lisa Mona]

09:35 AM on 11/20/2011

Hey, GracieGiraffe, fanned and faved you for your support (faves)
to my comments about someone trying to pull seniority. Thanks a
heap. I adore giraffes and have a collection (stautes that is).
So glad to have you as a supporter.

[TigersEye]

01:03 AM on 11/20/2011

It's looking like this Gertrude Bell story will be a comedy.

[happycat]

01:23 AM on 11/20/2011

Just like "Changeling."