Angelina Jolie might Direct Movie Based on 'Catherine The Great' Book

40-year-old Angeline Jolie has bought rights to Simon Sebag Montefiore's book, ‘Catherine The Great And Potemkin: The Imperial Love Affair’, as reported by Daily Mail. She is planning on making a cinematic adaptation of the book. Catherine the Great was Russia’s longest-ruling female leader. The war against the Ottoman Empire in 1796 was led by her.

On the subject, Simon said, “I am thrilled that Angelina has optioned the book because it was my first book and it was very much a labour of love”. He added, “Catherine is the ultimate feminist hero. I feel very safe with Angelina in charge of it”. Jolie has directed three movies which include ‘In the Land of Blood and Honey’, ‘Unbroken’ and ‘By the Sea’. Releasing this year, By the Sea will star Angeline Jolie and Brad Pitt. Her next directorial project might be ‘Africa’, which will be based on Kenyan conservationist Richard Leakey and his struggle against illegal ivory trade.

Catherine The Great And Potemkin: The Imperial Love Affair was released in 2000 and was one of the bestselling books at that time. It focuses on Catherine and her secret open marriage to Grigory Potemkin. The time period of her rule was called Russia's golden age.