Hollywood Actress Angelina Jolie is the first choice when it comes to suspense thrillers. The Bone Collector star has landed another role in a new film, which is based on Patricia Cornwell's bestselling novels. The 33-year-old will play the title character from Cornwell's 16 novel series about forensic examiner Dr Kay Scarpetta, a woman with a messy love life who solves crime and loves the opera.

Although studio bosses have yet to line up a screenwriter or director for the new film, insiders claim that the deal could mean the start of a new franchise for the actress who had her last series success with Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

The thriller is the latest in a string of crime-fighting characters for Jolie, who has earlier worked in action packed thriller including Wanted, Mr & Mrs Smith,Gone in Sixty Seconds and her upcoming film, Salt.