Patricia Cornwell’s fictional character Kay Scarpetta has starred in 17 books thus far. The acclaimed author began writing the mystery novels in the late 1980’s. Several movie studios have tossed around the idea of making a movie centered around the fictional character and her work as a medical examiner and forensic consultant.

Cornwell sold the movie rights to Sony back in 2000. She was sure a film would be made after the studio hired writers Robert Rodat and Stephen Schiff. Unfortunately, it still did not go anywhere.

Angelina Jolie has expressed interest in playing the role of Scarpetta, which has kick started the project, finally. Jolie and Cornwell began talks last April but then nothing else was said. Good news is there has been plenty of behind the scene movements with the project.

Kerry Williamson is an Irish screenwriter and has been hired to write the screenplay. Instead of making a movie based on one of the novels, an entire new screenplay will be written. The film will be set in modern day, but Scarpetta will be the young woman she was in the beginning of the series.

This film could be the beginning of a film franchise for Jolie, much like the Bourne series has been for Matt Damon.