Angelina Jolie Casts British Skins Star In Her New World War II Movie

Angelina Jolie has cast Skins star – and Tulisa's ex-boyfriend in 'Unbroken'

Angelina Jolie has returned to work following her brave double mastectomy earlier this year, setting her sights on a new World War II movie.

The actress and United Nations ambassador will direct Unbroken, an adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand's bestselling 2010 book about Olympian and World War II hero Louis Zamperini. And she's already cast her first star… British Skins actor, Jack O'Connell.

If not an avid Skins viewer, you'll recognise Jack from his highly-publicised relationship with Tulisa Contostavlos. Though we're pretty sure it's his acting that'll have caught Angelina's eye.

Jack will play the lead role of Louis, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Louis (now 96-years-old) is a Los Angeles high school track star-turned-Olympian. He rose to fame in the 1936 Berlin Olympics – but in 1943, his Air Force plane crashed in the Pacific. He survived without food and water for an incredible 47 days enduring shark attacks, aerial attacks and hunger before arriving on a Japanese island behind enemy lines, where he was held as a prisoner of war for two years.

The movie is set for release in December 2014 and Angelina's already started work on the set. This week, she was photographed strolling around Hawaii while scouting film locations for the blockbuster, but made headlines for her incredibly happy and healthy appearance following her double mastectomy. Angelina wore a delicate black vest, proving to the world she's still body-confident despite her surgery. Such a beaut.

Angelina said in a statement: 'I've had the privilege of spending a great deal of time with Louie Zamperini, who is a hero of mine, and now – I am proud to say – a dear friend. I am deeply honoured to be telling his extraordinary story, and I will do my absolute best to give him the film he deserves.'

Congrats, Jack!

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