Angelina Jolie to Star in and Produce New Thriller ‘Sunny’

Despite the cheery-sounding title, the new movie, which Eva Sørhaug is now directing, has Jolie as a gangster protecting her family from other criminals.

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Angelina Jolie during the 2013 Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, CA, on Saturday, November 16, 2013. Photo: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:

Angelina Jolie is starring in ‘Sunny.’
It’s a mob movie about a gangster looking to protect her family.
Eva Sørhaug is directing.

Angelina Jolie was most recently seen in Pablo Larraín’s ‘Maria,’ the biopic of Opera legend Maria Callas.

But Deadline brings word that she’s going to switch things up in a big way for her next movie, with director Eva Sørhaug (‘90 Minutes’) now rolling cameras on new dark thriller ‘Sunny.’

The new movie will also see Jolie as a producer, working alongside the likes of Gramercy Park Media, A Higher Standard, and Nickel City Pictures.

What’s the story of ‘Sunny’?

Angelina Jolie as Fox in director Timur Bekmambetov's 'Wanted.' Photo: Universal Pictures.

William Day Frank penned the script from a story after conceiving the basic idea with Sørhaug.

‘Sunny’ follows a female gangster who fights to protect her sons — and herself — from an abusive drug kingpin. But when a devastating event occurs, she only has a matter of hours to plot their permanent escape.

Here’s what Nickel City’s Mark Fasano said about Jolie’s involvement:

“People are going to be shocked by what she brings with this riveting character. This violent world that Eva and Angelina have crafted is grounded in survival and family led by a mother doing anything and everything within her power to protect her two boys.”

Gramercy Park’s Nathan Klingher said this:

“Angelina has made this role uniquely her own. Strong, character-driven thrillers like this are rare, and the attention to detail that she and Eva have brought to the film is impressive to watch.”

What else is Angelina Jolie working on?

(Left) Angelina Jolie arrives for the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Director Doug Liman attends Apple Original Films’ world premiere of 'The Instigators' at the Jazz at Lincoln Center. 'The Instigators' opens in select theaters on Friday, August 2, 2024, before streaming globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Jolie was most recently seen in award-nominated biopic ‘Maria’ about opera singer Maria Callas, and also wrote, directed and produced war parable ‘Without Blood’, which has so far only been released in Italy following a festival run.

Next up for her in terms of release is ‘Couture’, written and directed by Alice Winocour, which sees Jolie as American filmmaker Maxine, who arrives in Paris for Fashion Week on a life-and-death journey, facing challenges and self-discovery.

And, as per usual, that’s just a sampling of what she’s either worked on or attached to. The busy filmmaker will also pop up being interviewed in documentaries including ‘World Food Programme’ and a variety of movies including ‘Anxious People’ and another action pic, ‘Maude v. Maude’.

Finally, she recently signed on to reunite with 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' director Doug Liman for a new spy thriller called 'The Initiative.'