Angelina Jolie scraps 'beloved' film project to avoid working with Brad Pitt

The fallout from the Brangelina split continues, with reports that Angelina Jolie has scrapped a long-planned movie project about elephant poaching to avoid working with Brad Pitt.

The movie was set to be called ‘Africa’, and was a biopic about real-life conservationist, politician and paleoanthropologist Dr. Richard Leakey.

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Leakey was the head of wildlife conservation in Kenya in the late 80s, creating the first well-armed anti-poaching units to prevent the practice going on, and giving authorisation to shoot on sight.

The move reduced poaching in Kenya dramatically, and he made headlines in 1989 when he burned 12 tons of stockpiled ivory in the Nairobi National Park.

However, now it’s said that Jolie has stepped down from the project, which she was set to direct and produce, and is now distancing herself from it.

Pitt was apparently in line for the lead role.

A source close to the project told Heat Street: “This movie has been a nightmare to get off the ground from the beginning.

“Until the last few weeks Angelina was resolute in her intent to get it made but now she doesn’t want to direct it at all.

“Brad Pitt was still interested in acting in the movie — for him it was Seven Years in Tibet set in Africa and he wasn’t ready to give up on it. But Angelina now doesn’t want to have any kind of relationship with him, personal or professional.”

The news emerged last week that Jolie had filed for divorce from Pitt, two years after they married, and after an 11 year relationship.

Image credits: Getty/Rex Features