After taking some time off from acting, Angelina Jolie is heading back to the big screen in a big way, lining up a series of high-profile projects. And the latest sounds like it's got "Oscar Bait" written all over it.

Deadline reports that Jolie has signed on to star in "The Kept," an adaptation of the 2014 novel by James Scott. The story, set in 1897, revolves around Elspeth Howell (to be played by Jolie), a midwife who arrives home to her isolated farmhouse to find her husband and four of her children slain. Per Deadline, the plot continues:

"Before she can discover her remaining son Caleb, alive and hiding in the kitchen pantry, another shot rings out over the snow-covered valley. Twelve-year-old Caleb must tend to his mother until she recovers enough for them to take to the frozen wilderness in search of the men responsible."

This sounds like an incredibly juicy role (for both Jolie and whoever plays Caleb -- maybe Jacob Tremblay?), and also a bit of a departure for Jolie, whose recent acting work has been in more blockbuster-type flicks. Speaking of which, she'll soon be reprising her titular role in the upcoming sequel "Maleficent II," which is due in theaters in 2020.

No word yet on when production on "The Kept" is slated to begin. In the meantime, Jolie is wrapping up the "Maleficent" follow-up, then starring opposite David Oyelowo in revisionist fairy tale "Come Away." Looks like the actress won't be going anywhere for a while.
[via: Deadline]