Angelina Jolie won an Oscar for her role in Girl, Interrupted

A Mighty Heart, based on the memoirs of Mariane Pearl, will be directed by Michael Winterbottom.

Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered in Karachi, Pakistan, in January 2002 while researching Islamic militancy.

The film will examine his reasons for being in Pakistan, his abduction and his wife's attempts to find him.

We hope the film can increase understanding between people of all faiths Brad Pitt

"I am delighted that Angelina Jolie will be playing my role in the adaptation of my book," said Pearl.

"I deeply admire her work and what she is committed to."

"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."

The actor's production company is co-owned with his former wife, Jennifer Aniston.

The couple divorced last year, after which Pitt was romantically involved with Jolie.

They had their first child, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, in Namibia in May.