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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Angelina Jolie defies gender

We all know that Angelina Jolie can kick a lot of ass. In case anyone’s unsure of her ability to carry an action film, I submit Tomb Raider, Gone in 60 Seconds, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Wanted — need I say more?

Yet it’s notable that she may be taking on yet another rough-and-tumble action flick. Variety reports that the stunning actress is close to a deal with Columbia Pictures to play a role previously intended for Tom Cruise in the film Edwin A. Salt. According to Variety, her character is “a CIA officer who's accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy and must elude capture long enough to establish her innocence.” (Does this mean Angie will sport a hot Russian accent at some point?) There’s nothing about that role that sounds intrinsically male to me, but we all know how the movies work, and it’s quite notable that a studio has opted to go with a female actor to play a role originally written with a man in mind.

It’s not something that happens frequently, but it’s also not the first time this has happened. Jodie Foster played a character named Kyle (originally intended for a man) in Flightplan. Katee Sackhoff took over the role of Starbuck for the new TV series Battlestar Galactica.

It’s not exactly a habit for Hollywood to hand over roles intended for men to perfectly capable, talented women, more often, it would seem, they’ll track down a new male face if they can’t get the famous guy they want. So, a tip of the hat to director Phillip Noyce and producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Sunil Perkash for opting for Angie instead. Let’s hope the deal goes through, and let's hope they continue to bring on the women in leading action roles.

  • Kim Ruehl's blog
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  • cute_etoks's picture

    can't wait

    Can't wait for the deal to go through, love jolie as lead in action flicks

    Nelfy's picture

    so exiting!

    maybe this has something to do with the fact that Angie is immensely attracting and interesting to both male and female audiences? so the boys will still watch an action movie even though a female plays the main part which I guess isn't that appealing to them otherwise. or maybe the studio bosses just think it's not appealing and that's why they don't give it a shot. *hm* besides, there is no way that ANYONE would choose tom cruise over angelina jolie - his days are so over!!

    when I saw flight plan I thought that it was way better that kyle was female - it somehow even heightened the drama and the emotions.

    http://babydyke.blogspot.com/ - my take on all things lesbian

    ice cream's picture

    i didnt know Starbuck was

    i didnt know Starbuck was suppose to be male. That just made me love her so much more.
    XanxiuZ's picture

    When I was a wee one, I used

    When I was a wee one, I used to be a fan of the original Battlestar Galactica.  In the original, Starback was a guy and so was Boomer.
    
    
    Susan Gabriel's picture

    Maybe Hollywood is noticing

    Maybe Hollywood is noticing that most of the people who see movies are women. Just like most of the people who read novels are women. I think it's about time we got catered to, since women are doing more than their share to keep things alive, vibrant and creative. 

     

    www.SeekingSaraSummers.com

    Discontented_Clownfish's picture

    Well, obviously Angie is

    Well, obviously Angie is more appealing than Tom Cruise (although I did like his turn in Tropic Thunder). You're right though - it's notable they cast Jolie instead of some random guy. She just kicks that much ass.  :)

    I really hope she doesn't cop an almost-laughable Russian accent like Cate Blanchett in Indy 4.  :-/

    CindySR's picture

    Lol...

     

    My teacher of cinematography used to say "If the script is not good enough, change genders"

     

    I always thought he was joking...

     

    But now... I guess he was talking serious!

     

    Lol.

    Brutal_Romance's picture

    have to say...

    your teacher is one smart guy! :D
    SillyGirl's picture

    CANT WAIT

    I love tomb raider  and i cant wait to see the new movie and the new actress that plays lora croft it will be an awesome movie i know fashow. I love Tomb raider been playing that for many years now cant get enough of it.  Love ya angelina but theres a new girl steping up to the plate now.  Cant wait to see ur new movie as well angelina.

    Gillian's picture

    huh?!

    there's a new movie?? since when?? what's it called?? who's the new actress? can't believe they would make another and not cast angelina, that's like making harry potter without daniel radcliffe!!

    i do know there's a new model portraying Lara, Alison Carroll, but that's for promos and appearances.

    seriously, there's a new film?!!

    on another note, i found out about Angelina taking over for Tom Cruise about 2 weeks ago, on another site. i thought it was common knowledge!

    ice cream's picture

    It does seem like more

    It does seem like more actresses are playing characters initially written for men. Hilary Swank (11:14) and Eliza Dushku (Bottle Shock) have both played roles originally intended for male actors, too, but they were supporting parts in small budget films. It's cool that people are actually financing a larger budget movie where the genders have switched.
    Veritas's picture

    Same thing happened when

    Same thing happened when Sigourney Weaver ended up playing Ripley in Alien, her part was originally going to be played by Paul Newman, how crazy is that? Sigourney rules! :)

    GoldringI's picture

    Alien...

    I believe (possibly erroneously) that the script for Alien was deliberately non-decriptive regarding its characters, so that they could cast whoever they could afford they were impressed by, in whichever role suited them.
    Ur a w*anker #9!'s picture

    The only upside.....

    to Wanted was Angie. Give her a gun in any movie and I'll gladly fork out the dough for a ticket! :)
    ice cream's picture

    Best "Mr. & Mrs. Smith Quote"

    Mrs. Smith: "Why do I get the girlie gun?"

    xD 

    That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

    Lunakiss's picture

    Jolie Picks Up Where Weaver and Foster...

    "I'm so bad. So very bad. I've never said I was good."-Lunakiss

     left off. It started off with womyn way before Angelina Jolie...Sigorney Weaver and Jodie Foster left their footprints for other womyn to follow. Angelina Jolie took over and made her own path with gender roles. Michelle Rod has her own kickibutt presecence in Hollywood(I'm currently watching Lost Season Two).  I wonder who else is next to keep these gender roles going.

    Just don't forget other womyn before A.J.