MUMBAI: Ridley Scott will soon direct Angelina Jolie for his forthcoming film Gertrude Bell, a biopic of a pioneering figure in the Middle East in the early 20th Century. The project is being developed by Scott‘s Scott Free Productions.

Bell, who worked for British intelligence during the first World War, was described as a ‘key asset‘ in helping dismantle the Ottoman Empire and also founding Iraq that won her admiration of many a Arab. She had a passion for archaeology and languages and wrote about her adventures in the region.

Jolie, 36, whose directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey hits theaters next month, has a number of acting projects in development.

The actress last starred in The Tourist opposite Johnny Depp.