Great news for Angelina Jolie fans - her forthcoming movie Unbroken, which she will be directing, has been given a release date by Universal, The 38-year-old actress and director's film will hit theatres on Christmas Day in 2014.

"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," Angelina said in a statement. "I am deeply honoured to be telling his extraordinary story, and I will do my absolute best to give him the film he deserves. I am grateful to Universal for making this film a priority."

Jolie also thanked Universal Pictures for backing the film.

"I am grateful to Universal for making this film a priority," she added.

Based on the book "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption," the movie is set to begin production in September of this year. Universal has purchased the movie rights to Laura Hillenbrand's novel "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption". They intend indeed to bring the novel to the big screen.

"Unbroken centers on Louis Zamperini, a former Olympian whose plane crashed at sea during World War II. Zamperini and two crewmates floated adrift for 47 days and 2000 miles, he was caught by the Japanese Navy and sent to a POW camp where he was specifically targeted by a sadistic overseer."

Production on the film will begin in September and so far Skins star Jack O'Connell is set to play Zamperelli, according to Variety, and the Coen Brothers are currently writing the latest draft of the script.