Angelina Jolie to play Dr. Kay Scarpetta in adaptation

Angelina Jolie is a busy mother these days, but she's still acting, yes. According to Variety, Jolie is teaming with Fox 2000 for a big-screen adaptation of Patricia Cornwell's popular book series on medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta. No writer or director is attached to the untitled project at this stage, but Jolie and the producers are apparently meeting with writers already.

As of now, Cornwell has written 16 Scarpetta novels, and if this project turns out successfull enough (with Jolie on board, it probably will), we may indeed see the birth of a big franchise. Jolie, who was last seen in "Wanted," is currently filming "Salt" for Phillip Noyce.