Angelina Jolie ‘absolutely’ wants to quit acting to direct

Angelina Jolie “absolutely” plans to bid adieu to acting. Indeed, one of the world’s most recognizable actresses is thinking about sticking with directing from now on.

The Oscar-winning “Girl, Interrupted” actress made those claims in a recent interview with DuJour in which she expounds about her personal odyssey with the World War II drama “Unbroken,” which tells of Olympic runner-turned-POW Louie Zamperini.

Jolie poses on the cover of the magazine with the film’s star, Jack O’Connell, the 24-year-old English actor who plays Zamperini in the Christmas release. It’s her second directorial project — the first was 2011’s “In the Land of Blood and Honey” — and an example of the many hats she wears. U.N. Goodwill Ambassador, humanitarian, mother of six, newlywed bride, honorary dame and potential politician are just a few others.

Acting, it turns out, isn’t high on the list anymore.

“I’ve never been comfortable as an actor; I’ve never loved being in front of the camera,” the 39-year-old said. “I didn’t ever think I could direct, but I hope I’m able to have a career at it because I’m much happier.”

Jolie said that she’s “quite shy” about directing and admitted that she’s “still learning,” but if all goes to plan, she “absolutely” will give up acting entirely.

But first, the actress will costar in “By the Sea” with her new husband and longtime love, Brad Pitt. The couple is teaming onscreen for the first time since their romance-catalyzing 2005 film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Not surprisingly, Jolie wrote and is directing the complicated love story about a struggling American couple vacationing in France.

“Compared to ‘Unbroken,’ this film is a walk in the park,” she said. “The tricky thing is directing myself and directing Brad. It’s hard, dramatic material, and we’re balancing.”

After tying the knot in France in August, the couple and their brood of six set off for Malta to begin filming — Pitt described the move as a “dysfunctional honeymoon” last month.

“It’s a heavy film, and it’s not easy for us,” Jolie added. “But even as you struggle through it, you’re in the trenches together and you don’t expect it to be easy. We’re challenging each other, and that’s a really good thing.”

Also being challenged is their 13-year-old son Maddox, who’s serving as a production assistant. It’s not the first time the A-listers have involved their kids in movies: Vivienne, 6, played a young Sleeping Beauty in “Maleficent,” and Pax, 10, and Zahara, 9, were extras.

She’s more than just a pretty face. Follow me on Twitter @NardineSaad.