Universal pictures, walden media and director angelina jolie are getting closer to the start line on unbroken, the incredible story of louis zamperini based on laura hillenbrands bestselling book. Unbroken 2 is happening, only with less angelina jolie and way more religion. The film is based on a bestselling book about the louis zamperini, an olympic distance runner. In 1941, he was commissioned into the united states army air forces as a lieutenant. Dec 19, 2014 it probably will be hard to break unbrokens record for development time in getting to the screen. So before you head to the theater, here are 10 interesting facts about louis zamperini that you may not have known. The film unbroken is based on author laura hillenbrands bestselling biography of louis zamperini. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption is a 2010 nonfiction book by laura hillenbrand. Hillenbrands absorbing biography recounts the life of louis zamperini 19172014an american distance runner in the 1936 berlin olympics. Angelina jolie narrowing choices for young lou zamperini. Im hearing that three young actors alexander dreymon. But even after hillenbrands book hit the bestseller list and universal picked up the option for. The film stars jack oconnell as usa olympian and army officer louis louie zamperini, who survived in a.
Olympian, world war ii bombardier, and pow survivor louis zamperini. Angelina jolie is crushed by the death of unbroken hero. Unbroken, directed by angelina jolie the new york times. She said, i read your book and what it says about forgiveness and i broke down and cried. Having overcome insurmountable odds at every turn in his life, olympic runner and world war ii hero louis zamperini had never broken down from a challenge. Angelina jolies second directorial effort, unbroken, is not an easy viewing. Dont give up, dont give in and millions of other books are available for. Angelina jolies unbroken trailer based on louis zamperini. She has received three golden globe awards, two screen actors guild awards, and an academy award. Louis zamperini was an olympic runner and a world war ii air force lieutenant whos defective plane went down into the pacific while on a rescue mission. The book by the same name spent more than 145 weeks on the new york times bestseller list. Louis zamperini, a former world war ii hero and olympian who inspired angelina jolies newest film, unbroken, has died at age 97.
Born to italian immigrant parents on january 26, 1917, zamperini grew up in torrance, ca with 1 older brother and 2 younger sisters. Author laura hillenbrand discusses angelina jolie s pagetoscreen adaptation of the life of former olympian and world war ii pow louis zamperini. Sep 18, 20 garrett hedlund is nearing a deal to join the cast of angelina jolies unbroken, an individual familiar with the universal pictures project has told. Angelina jolie on the wrenching experience of watching. The actressdirector is bringing the inspiring survival story of louis zamperini, featured in the best seller unbroken, to the big screen.
A statement released included a message from his family. Share a little bit about the relationship you had with getting the story told onscreen, how decisions were made on where to end the movie, and why a sequel is needed. Other major details are found in both hillenbrands book and jolies adaptation, however. Universal had optioned world war ii hero louis zamperini s own story in 1957 as a vehicle for. Dec 28, 2014 how angelina jolies unbroken became a christmas smash by brent lang. Unbroken movie by angelina jolie stirs religious controversy. Actressfilmmaker angelina jolie says she will be thankful to world war ii hero louis zamperini, who is the inspiration for her film unbroken, for teaching her to embrace spirituality. Angelina jolie met louis zamperini, the 96yearold former olympic runner and world war ii prisoner of war, last winter when she signed on to direct unbroken, based on zamperinis life. He took up running in high school and qualified for the us in the 5,000 m race for the 1936 berlin olympics. Author laura hillenbrand discusses angelina jolies. Academy awardwinner angelina jolie directs and produces unbroken, the epic drama that follows the unbelievable true story of american hero louis louie zamperini. Universal pictures and walden media are in final negotiations with angelina jolie to direct unbroken, the unbelievable story of olympianturnedwwii pow louis zamperini. Dec 03, 2014 angelina jolie s unbroken is a handsomely staged and dignified prestige drama, yet it tells a mostly passive story of survival in an often generic manner. World war ii hero louis zamperini has died at age 97.
The bestselling autobiography of the legendary louis zamperini, hero of the blockbuster unbroken a modern classic by an american legend, devil at my heels is the riveting and deeply personal memoir by u. Zamperini is eightysix, lives in hollywood, california, and only recently gave up skateboarding. Firstlook image of angelina jolie and louis zamperini. Zamperini was the former schoolboy track star who shone for the us olympic running team at the hitler games of 36, got shot. Angelina jolie s most recent directorial effort, unbroken, has caused some controversy for one particular decision regarding louis zamperini s religion. Based on laura hillenbrands bestseller, unbroken details the life of louis zamperini, whose journey from juvenile delinquent to olympic athlete to u. You have to reach deep within yourself to see if you are willing to make the sacrifices. That jolie could corral this epic tale into a cohesive narrative built more. Angelina jolie and louis zamperini talk about unbroken today show by tom brokaw. Angelia jolies unbroken trailer would make louis zamperini. Unbroken, will be released one of my all time favorite reads. Angelina jolie found her latest film subject close to home.
Oct 11, 20 universal releases a firstlook image of angelina jolie and louis zamperini ahead of production starting on unbroken, starring jack oconnell in the lead. Jul 10, 2014 although louis zamperini has passed away, his legacy will live on in the upcoming film unbroken which is directed by angelina jolie. Angelina is a human dynamo, and i know she will tell this story in. Jul 03, 2014 world war ii hero louis zamperini, the man that inspired angelina jolie s unbroken film, has passed away zamperini died of pneumonia at the age of 97,variety reported early thursday morning. Special features deleted scenes the fight of a storyteller director angelina jolie inside unbroken 50 years in the making. Angelina jolie credits war hero louis zamperini for teaching. He was adrift for 47 torturous days along with the pilot phil phillips, until they were captured by the japanese navy. He passed away on wednesday after battling pneumonia, e. The real louis zamperini was taken seriously ill just as filming was completed.
This was a battle zamperini could not win on his own. Louis zamperini, the world war ii hero and former olympic long distance runner, has died. Louis zamperini olympic athlete, war hero, wwii prisoner of war japan subject of the book unbroken, one of my favorite books ever louis zamperini. T he angelina jolie directed film unbroken is generating buzz on the basis of its two outsized personas. Unbroken is a biography of world war ii hero louis zamperini, a former. What louie zamperini meant to angelina jolie the american. It is based on the 2010 nonfiction book by laura hillenbrand, unbroken. While it might be strange to go and see an angelina jolie film. The strength of the human spirit is extraordinary angelina jolie gives a sweet hug to her unbroken inspiration louis zamperini as they sit down for a pre. The story is to be retold in a film adaptation of the book directed by angelina jolie and scheduled to be.
Zamperini s story was told in his 2003 autobiography devil at my heels, as well as in laura hillenbrands 2010 biography unbroken. Angelina jolie mourns louis zamperini, wwii hero who died. Louis zamperini, war hero and subject of angelina jolies. All i want to tell young people is that youre not going to be anything in life unless you learn to commit to a goal. Take a look inside unbroken with angelina jolie and louis zamperini a chronicle of the life of louis zamperini, an olympic runner who was taken prisoner by japanese forces during world war ii. Unbroken and billy graham the movie and the book about louis zamperini s life skimp on the pivotal role of a certain preacher. She directed the film, which is based on the life of louis zamperini, an olympic runner who. Air force bombardier to 47day survivor at sea in a raft. The olympian and a war hero is the subject of the book, which. Angelina jolie directed this film while the coen brothers, richard lagravenese, and william nicholson wrote the screenplay. How angelina jolies unbroken became a christmas smash. The story behind louis zamperini who inspired angelina jolie to make a movie.
Jack oconnell plays louie zamperini in angelina jolies. Louis zamperini achieved a lifelong ambition to run again at an olympics at the age of 80 as a olympictorch carrier, it was the 5th time hed been able to do sohe died aged 97 in december 2014. An adaptation of laura hillenbrand s novel about louie zamperini, the film tells a heartbreaking tale of survival and. It is a loss impossible to describe, jolie told nbc news in a statement. David rensin worked closely with louis zamperini for many years and cowrote devil at my heels, as well as fifteen other books, including five new york times bestsellers. Unbroken by michael sragow on december 3, 2014 from the opening shot of unbroken a gorgeous view of b24 liberator bombers flying in blue sky and dawntinged cloudsdirector angelina jolie and her ace cinematographer, roger deakins, prepare the audience for an epic. She is often cited by popular media as one of the worlds most beautiful women and her offscreen life is widely reported. Louis zamperini, the war veteran, pow and olympic athlete who will be the focus of a dramatic film. Jul 11, 2014 like the new york times bestselling book by laura hillenbrand, jolies latest directorial project is based on the reallife hardships endured by the late louis zamperini, who passed away last. Louis zamperini from world war 2, prisoner of war, book, laura hillenbrand. Angelina jolie fought uphill battle in bringing true story to screen. Jolie s, and the late louis zamperini played onscreen by.
British rising star jack oconnell talks about working with angelina jolie in the role of the amazing olympic runner and world war ii survivor louis zamperini on unbroken. Louis zamperini the book report with elaine charles. So, unbroken the movie is based on a true story, right. Dec 29, 2014 zamperini could not overcome the evil he had experienced in japan. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption. Oscar winning actress angelina jolie has attended the premiere in london of her new film, unbroken. Angelina jolie says louie zamperini s unbroken story has made me a better person it is the beautiful and unlikely friendship that led angelina jolie to australia. Angelina jolie says she will be thankful to world war ii hero louis zamperini, who is the inspiration for her film unbroken. Like the new york times bestselling book by laura hillenbrand, jolie s latest directorial project is based on the reallife hardships endured by the late louis zamperini, who passed away last.
He became angry and bitter, his marriage fell apart. Unbroken and its blockbuster movie adaptation directed by angelina jolie. His inspiring story of courage, resilience, and faith has captivated readers and audiences of unbroken, now a major. Jolie, 38, pitched a film adaptation of the book unbroken. When he was 2, the family moved to southern california, where he spent a rebellious childhood before channeling his.
Dec 17, 2014 angelina jolie on the wrenching experience of watching unbroken with louis zamperini before his death. Directed by angelina jolie and written by joel and ethan coen, the movie stars. The recipient of such accolades as an academy award and three golden globe awards, she has been named hollywoods highestpaid actress multiple times. Angelina jolie found her latest film subject close to. Tom brokaw and angelina jolie on unbroken hero louis zamperini. Director angelina jolie tells louis zamperinis story in. Feb 25, 2014 angelina jolie and louis zamperini talk about unbroken today show by tom brokaw. Jul 03, 2014 angelina jolie is crushed by the death of unbroken hero louis zamperini jul. Dec 02, 2014 though louie zamperini, whose survival story is documented in angelina jolies new film unbroken, died earlier this year, he did get to watch the film before his death. Meet the real mutsuhiro watanabe, aka the bird, and louies wife cynthia. When hollywood decided to make a movie about zamperini s life, the star actress was chosen. Angelina jolies unbroken trailer based on louis zamperinis.
Jolie follows the lead of the book, which focuses on the first 25 years or so of mr. A modern classic by an american legend, devil at my heels is the riveting and deeply personal memoir by u. Louis zamperini, the 97yearold subject of her latest film, unbroken, and angie have become really, really close during the process of making the film. Apparently universal pictures is making a movie version of this book with nicolas cage attached to star as zamperini. Louis silvie zamperini january 26, 1917 july 2, 2014 was an american world war ii veteran, a christian evangelist and an olympic distance runner. With some narrative rejigging, a lot of compression and one significant exception, ms. Angelina jolie says louie zamperinis unbroken story has. Louis zamperini, inspiration for unbroken has died the. Louis zamperini, the war hero who inspired laura hillenbrands bestselling book unbroken and the upcoming feature film directed by angelina jolie, has died at 97. Angelina jolie with louis zamperini, the subject of her next movie, unbroken. Dec 25, 2014 angelina jolies unbroken, adapted from laura hillenbrands best seller, recounts louis zamperinis harrowing world war ii experiences. Angelina jolie is crushed by the death of unbroken hero louis. Laptop technology enabled director jolie to bring him a screening of his life, which zamperini, then ninetyseven, watched from beginning to end, knowing he was on his deathbedsurely the only person in history to have had that experience. I wanted to watch unbroken directed my angelina jolie, but you who read devil at my heels and watched the movie, is the book better, that is, should i read the book before i watch the movie.
Told in louis zamperini s own words, devil at my heels is a stirring memoir from one of the greatest of the greatest generation, a living document about the brutality of war, the tenacity of the human spirit, and the power of forgiveness. Olympic track star and world war ii hero whose remarkable survival story is the basis for the upcoming angelina jolie directed movie unbroken, has died at age 97. Academy award winner angelina jolie directs and produces this epic drama that follows the incredible life of olympian and war hero louis louie zamperini jack oconnell who. The one story from unbroken that angelina jolie thought. Unbroken official featurette 2014 angelia jolie louis. Dec 26, 2014 nbcs tom brokaw followed director angelina jolie as she brought unbroken, a film about the remarkable life of louis zamperini, to the big screen. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this riveting biography includes more than 100 blackandwhite photos, as well as exclusive content, \in conversation,\ with laura hillenbrand and louie zamperini. Louis is caught by law enforcement and returned to his family. Seven years later, as an air corps bombardier, zamperini survived one crash landing followed by his planes ditching into the pacific, a month and a half adrift in a rubber raft, and more than two years of atrocious confinement by the japanese. When hollywood decided to make a movie about zamperinis life, the star actress was chosen to direct. Jul 03, 2014 louis zamperini, the war hero who inspired laura hillenbrands bestselling book unbroken and the upcoming feature film directed by angelina jolie, has died at 97 zamperini was an olympic.
Watch out brad pitt, angelina jolies got a new man in her life. Many are familiar with the story of louis zamperini from either his book or the angelina jolie directed movie, unbroken, that showcased aspects of his life. Louis zamperini testimony at 1958 san francisco billy graham crusade duration. Angelina jolie is crushed by the death of unbroken hero louis zamperini jul. Devil at my heels ebook 9780061972768 by louis zamperini. Unbroken is a 2014 american war film produced and directed by angelina jolie and written by the coen brothers, richard lagravenese, and william nicholson. Long before they collaborated on unbroken, which opens nationwide on christmas day, louie zamperini and angelina jolie were neighbors in the hollywood hills.
Completed just two days before louis zamperinis death at age ninetyseven, dont give. The one who forgives never brings up the past to that persons face. Angelina jolie directing unbroken movie olympian lou. Hillenbrand, whose 2010 bestselling biography on zamperini forms the basis of angelina jolies new directing effort, unbroken, said she still remembered her first phone call with him. A modern classic by an american legend, devil at my heels is the riveting and personal memoir by u. If youve read the laura hillenbrand book that unbroken is based. Unbroken book about louis zamperini being made into a movie. Unbroken 2 is happening, only with less angelina jolie and. Angelina jolie on louie zamperini watching unbroken vanity fair.
Dec 22, 2014 produced and directed by angelina jolie, unbroken tells the dramatic story of louis zamperini played by jack oconnell, an olympic runner who was taken prisoner by japanese forces during world. But when louis zamperini did pass away, it wasnt the first time he had. Angeline jolie, along with louis zamperini, is the biggest star of the movie, said paul. Louis zamperini, a former world war ii hero and olympian who inspired angelina jolie s newest film, unbroken, has died at age 97. His inspiring story of courage, resilience, and faith has captivated readers and audiences of unbroken, now a major motion picture directed by angelina jolie. The subject of angelina jolies upcoming sophomore directorial effort unbroken, zamperini was 97. Angelina jolie on the wrenching experience of watching unbroken with louis zamperini before his death angelina jolie on the wrenching experience of watching unbroken with louis zamperini. Lauren hillenbrands unbroken, louis zamperini biopic aarp.
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