Angelina Jolie’s second directorial outing has just started shooting, and to mark that the first behind-the-scenes image has been released ,featuring the director/actress and the man the movie is about, Louis Zamperini (let’s just hope Brad Pitt doesn’t get jealous of how much Angelina seems to like him).
Jolie and Zamperini, who are neighbours, have become close friends over the development of the film, as the filmmaker listened to the war hero recount the incredible incidents of his life over many months of preparation.
Jack O’Connell will play Zamperini, a former Olympic track star whose Air Force plane went down in the Pacific Ocean in World War II. He managed to survive for 47 days on a life raft in the midst of shark attacks and enemy fire, before he washed up on a Japanese island where he was taken prisoner for more than two years. Gerrett Hedlund is portraying fellow P.O.W. Commander John Fitzgerald.
O’Connell recently spent several afternoons with Louis Zamperini to his incredible tale firsthand. Louis Zamperini retains many keepsakes from his adventures in his home. Unbroken is set for release Christmas Day, 2014.