The story surrounding Daniel Pearl’s violent death is one well worth telling.  His widow did just that in her book and on Oprah.  Brad Pitt and his production company bought the movie rights to her story and Angelina Jolie is presently portraying Mariane Pearl on a set in India.  It’s too dangerous in Pakistan, the country where Danny Pearl was beheaded by his abductors.

Some groups are upset that Angelina Jolie, a white woman, is portraying Mariane Pearl who has mixed heritage including Afro-Cuban and Dutch.  Mariane herself had this to say:

“I am delighted that Angelina Jolie will be playing my role in the adaptation of my book, I deeply admire her work and what she is committed to.”

In my opinion it’s good casting.  Angelina’s star power will get the film seen by more people.  Angelina looks a bit like Mariane as far as face shape and features go.  I think Brad will stick to not commenting about the small controversy because he can’t really emphatically defend casting his mate as the star.

Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie

Mariane Pearl