How Angelina Jolie Became The ‘Unbroken’ Director – The Contenders

Watch the video clip above as Universal executive Peter Cramer tells Deadline’s Mike Fleming about ‘Unbroken,’ the movie adaptation of a best-selling book about Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner turned flier turned Japanese POW.

The book, by Laura Hillenbrand, made the film finally come together after decades of efforts to tell the tale. And it was Angelina Jolie’s meticulous preparation and vision that made her the choice to direct the film, Cramer says.

The screenplay based on the book was written by the Coen Brothers, Richard LaGravanese and William Nicholson.

It stars Jack O’Connell as Zamperini, reared in the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance and an Olympian who went to the University of Southern California. He ended up in the Army Air Force during World War II, and his bomber was shot down. After days at sea, he endured torture and more in a Japanese POW camp.

Other stars of the film include Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund and Morgan Griffin. Producers are Jolie, Matthew Baer, Erwin Stoff and Clayton Townsend. It opens Christmas Day, with Universal handling distribution. Cramer was talking at The Contenders, our recent Oscar showcase.

Watch the conversation, which includes clips from the movie. Will you go see it? Let us know.