Angelina Jolie has signed on to play medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta in Patricia Cornwell’s bestselling book series, Variety reports. Although the film, which still doesn’t have a screenwriter or director, will not be based on a specific Cornwell mystery title, it could be the first in a suspense thriller franchise. The series includes 16 novels about Scarpetta, the hard-charging coroner who solves crimes and loves opera.