Angelina Jolie is set to premiere her directorial debut In the Land of Blood and Honey next month, but the actress is also looking towards future acting gigs. Fresh off the Bosnian War-set Honey, Jolie is eyeing another socially conscious pic: a biopic of Gertrude Bell. Jolie has attached herself to the project, titled Gertrude Bell, which centers on the early 20th century pioneer. Described as the female Lawrence of Arabia, Bell worked extensively in the middle east and was responsible for establishing what would become the modern framework for Jordan and Iraq. She worked for British Intelligence during World War I, and was key in the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire and subsequent founding of Iraq. Hit the jump for more, including Ridley Scott’s involvement and what projects the director is considering for his next film.

Director Ridley Scott always keeps his slate full of potential projects and now he’s added another.  Deadline reports that Scott wants to direct a biopic about Renaissance woman Gertrude Bell and he’s hired screenwriter Jeffrey Caine (The Constant Gardener) to write the script.  The Oxford-educacted Bell became a seminal figure in the Middle East during the run-up to World War I and her various jobs ranged from diplomat to archeologist to photographer to spy.  She ultimately lost favor with the British government after she advocated that Arabs countries should rule themselves and not be subject to British colonialism.

Scott may not want to leave this project on the backburner since Werner Herzog is also planning a Bell biopic.  Herzog’s film is entitled Queen of the Desert and has Naomi Watts in talks to star.  Hit the jump for a list of other Scott projects that he may choose as his follow-up to the upcoming sci-fi thriller Prometheus.