Angelina Jolie is set to join the cast of Universal Pictures action film "Wanted" which Timur Bekmambetov will direct.

Based on a graphic novel, James McAvoy plays a young man who discovers his father is an assassin, only to learn shortly thereafter that his dad has been murdered.

The youth is drafted to follow in his father's footsteps. Jolie will play an assassin who teaches the ropes to the wannabe killer. Morgan Freeman also stars.

According to Variety, Jolie took the role after a rewrite by Dean Georgaris ("Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life") to tailor the character for her.

Shooting is set to begin in Eastern Europe in May.