Why Didn't Angelina Jolie Return for Wanted 2?

Had things gone as originally hoped for, WANTED 2 would be on the bill along with SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD at Universal’s SDCC panel next week (squeezing in with the host of other panels going on.) Director Timur Bekmambetov would probably be there with all the cast, talking about how they were going to start shooting the Millarworld sequel next month for a release later next year. That was the schedule that was floating around back when we were reporting on the starting and stopping of this project back in February. The last we heard of it was when TWILIGHT-star Kristen Stewart was rumored to step in as a new “hot chick” for the sequel, but the big set-back (the one that got this sequel almost totally canceled) was, of course, Angelina Jolie turning down the offer to return as Fox.

Angelina Jolie won't reprise her role of Fox in WANTED 2.  But why?  After all she was the fan favorite, the star of the show in the the first movie. Jolie never made a statement back then, but she’s finally put an explanation out .  == TEASER ==

So said Ms. Jolie to Coming Soon (while promoting her new movie, the spy thriller SALT…)

"Being dead makes it difficult… They were (trying to bring me back) but I kind of feel like if I die in a movie, I should die actually. I'm that way, and that character is not as complex as Salt. It would just be doing the exact same thing in another movie, so it's not that interesting to me."

Those reasons shouldn’t be too surprising to anybody. As much as fans hoped to see her back, she’s dead-on correct that they’d have to come up with some elaborate reason for Fox to return. Also, it’s telling that she specifically mentions that Fox is a less complex role than others she’s played (or wants to play.) She basically was just there to look sultry and stand there... then look sultry and kick ass.

I’m sure WANTED 2’s going to happen, in some form, eventually. They’ll probably go ahead with the international fraternity idea with Kristen Stewart (or another actress) playing James McAvoy’s new love interest. Although, I wouldn't expect it to happen any time soon. Don't forget that Mr. McAvoy’s already tied up with X-MEN: FIRST CLASS.

-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Studios and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. Pre-order the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover now on Amazon.com.