Scientist Alan Deidun has written on his Facebook page that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt chose Mgarr ix-Xini as the location for their new film after watching a video posted on Youtube by him.

Later he admitted this was said 'tongue in cheek'.

Mr Deidun said: "Most probably Angelina and Brad Pitt chose Mgarr ix-Xini since they were drawn to the creek by our PANACEA aerial (via drone) and underwater documentary on the same area, seen almost 8,000 times on youtube: "

The YouTube video, which is very good, can be seen on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3tVoY4hlts

Meanwhile a source told US Weekly that the commission is a "very special" one for Malta. "They'll be filming in Mgarr ix-Xini Bay in Gozo," the insider says. "The whole family will be staying in Malta for eight weeks, arriving at the end of August."

The project in question is "a love story," the source adds. Details are scarce, but it's believed to be the film that Jolie, 39, wrote. "It's not a big movie, it's not an action movie," the Maleficent star previously told Extra of the film, which would feature her and her fiance, 50, in their first onscreen reunion since Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

"It's the kind of movie we love but aren't often cast in," she added. "It's a very experimental, independent-type film where we get to be actors together and be really raw, open, try things."