Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are headed to Malta for the shooting of their drama, By The Sea.

Mgarr ix-Xini beach on Gozo, Malta's second largest island, has been closed to the public from August 17, for filming that will run through until November 10, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Malta Independent said the set's construction is under way, with one structure on the beach nearing completion.

By The Sea, written and directed by Angelina, will reunite the engaged couple together on screen for the first time since 2005's Mr And Mrs Smith, where they met.

Described as an "intimate, character driven drama", the film - backed by Universal - will reportedly see Brad and Angelina's characters marry on screen.

Brad is no stranger to filming on the Maltese islands. He shot the Greek epic adventure Troy in 2004 there and returned to film the zombie apocalypse thriller World War Z in 2013.