Brad Pitt to star in Robert Zemeckis romantic thriller

NEW YORK — Brad Pitt will star in a romantic thriller to be directed by Robert Zemeckis for Paramount Pictures.

The studio announced the untitled film on Friday, revealing scant details of the plot but calling it a "sweeping" epic. The screenplay is by Steven Knight, who penned "Eastern Promises" and recently directed the acclaimed indie "Locke."

The film marks a continued run of live-action dramas for Zemeckis, the director of "Forrest Gump," the "Back to the Future" films and "Cast Away." After a series of animated movies last decade, Zemeckis made 2012's "Flight" with Denzel Washington and is currently in post-production on "The Walk," about high-wire artist Philippe Petit.

Pitt recently finished shooting "By the Sea" with his wife Angelina Jolie, who also directed the marital drama.