LOS ANGELES -- Angelina Jolie is being lined up to star in a movie franchise based on best-selling crime writer Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta novels, entertainment industry press reported Wednesday.

Daily Variety reported that Fox 2000 was acquiring rights to books featuring one of Cornwell's best known characters, medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, with a view to Jolie playing the lead role.

Variety reported that while there are 16 Scarpetta novels, the first film would not be tied to a particular book.

The report said a tie-up between Cornwell, one of the biggest selling female authors in the world, and Jolie, one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, could potentially be highly lucrative for Fox.

Jolie, 33, was most recently seen in Clint Eastwood's period drama "Changeling," which earned her an Oscar nomination. She will next be seen in spy flick "Salt" due out in 2010.