Angelina Jolie taking more serious roles

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Angelina Jolie seems to be opting for more serious film roles, including Dagny Taggart in the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged."

The "Tomb Raider" action-adventure franchise star also will be appearing in "Beowulf" and Robert Deniro's "The Good Shepherd," as well as playing Marianne Pearle, the widow of journalist Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and killed in Pakistan, TMZ.com reported Thursday.

Lions Gate Films is trying to do what other film companies have tried to do for years in bringing "Atlas Shrugged" to the big screen. Faye Dunaway was actually once considered for the same role Jolie will be playing.

Although the mother of three hasn't totally given up non-serious roles, she is also lending her voice to the animated feature "Kung Fu Panda."

Jolie and Brad Pitt have also created a new charity to aid humanitarian causes around the world. They will give half of the first $2 million to Global Action for Children, and the other half to Doctors Without Borders.