Gray to direct Brad Pitt in 'Lost City of Z'

James Gray, director of "We Own the Night," is set to direct the big-screen adaptation of David Grann's book "The Lost City of Z."

Variety reports Brad Pitt will star in the film, which tells the story of Percy Fawcett, a British soldier who explored the Amazon and was convinced he could find an advanced civilization he called Z. He never returned from his expedition.

"It is a story that will be told with an epic scale, with a main character who is larger than life," Gray told Variety. The book by Grann, who works for the New Yorker, will be released in April.

Gray also directed "The Yards" and "Little Odessa." He recently completed "Two Lovers," a romantic drama starring Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow. The film will be Phoenix's last one (apparently).

As for Brad Pitt, he will next be seen in David Fincher's "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Pitt is currently filming "Inglourious Basterds" for Quentin Tarantino.