Angelina Jolie Devastated and Saddened by Malaysia Airlines Tragedy, Confirms Directing Brad Pitt in ‘By the Sea’

"Maleficent" star Angelina Jolie was one of thousands who took to social media to express their reaction over the recent Malaysia Airlines tragedy, which has been blamed on Russian separatist rebels.

"Devastated & saddened 2 hear of Malaysian Airlines tragedy. My families thoughts & prayers are with every1 involved with #MH17," Jolie tweeted along with a heart symbol.

On July 17, Thursday, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 downed over eastern Ukraine killing 298 people, Mirror reported.

Among the victims were one Canadian, one New Zealander, three Filipinos, four Germans, four Belgians, and 10 Britons including one dual United Kingdom/South Africa citizen, 12 Indonesians including one infant, 27 Australians, 43 Malaysians including two infants and 15 crew members, and 193 Dutch including one dual Netherlands/United States citizen.

The rest of the victims are yet to be identified.

Meanwhile, Jolie has confirmed she will be the director of the upcoming movie of her husband Brad Pitt with Universal Pictures entitled "By The Sea," which she will also write and star in, People reported.

Described an "intimate, character-driven drama," "By The Sea" is said to be shot with Mediterranean setting in Malta for approximately eight weeks.

"I am very happy to continue my relationship with Donna and the entire Universal team as I finish 'Unbroken' and begin work on 'By The Sea.' They have created a very special place for storytellers, and I look forward to the continued passion and support they have provided to me as a filmmaker," Jolie said. 

In 2011, Jolie made her directorial debut with the romantic drama "In the Land of Blood and Honey."

It was followed by the upcoming war drama "Unbroken," which is based on the late Louis Zamperini's life and will be released on Christmas Day of this year, Boston Herald reported.

Aside from being Jolie's third film as a director, "By The Sea" is also Jolie and Pitt's first reunion on the big screen since "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" in 2005. In "Maleficent," Jolie co-starred with three of her children, Pax, 10, Zahara, 9, and Vivienne, 6.