Angelina Jolie to Star in Spy Thriller ‘The Initiative’

The new movie, about a new recruit, will mark a reunion for the star and director, who previously worked together to make 2005’s ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’.

(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.

Preview:

Angelina Jolie is aboard to star in new spy thriller’ The Initiative’.
Doug Liman is directing the movie.
Universal has picked it up.

If it feels like 20 years since Angelina Jolie and director Doug Liman worked together, that’s because, er, it was! Yes, believe it or not, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’, about married spies/assassins who discover each other’s jobs and are assigned to take each other out, was released in 2005.

While we’re busy pondering time’s endless march and chasing the darn kids off our darn lawn, Jolie and Liman are reuniting for a new espionage thriller, this one called ‘The Initiative’.

Via The Hollywood Reporter, word arrives that Jolie will star and Liman will direct the new movie, which Universal has been quick to snap up, including a script from ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’s F. Scott Frazier.

What’s the story of ‘The Initiative’?

(L to R) Casey Affleck, director Doug Liman and Matt Damon on the set of 'The Instigators'. Photo: Apple TV+.

Frazier’s new screenplay, according to the Reporter, is described as ‘Training Day’ set in the world of spycraft.

The story would see Jolie playing a rogue master spy named Bright who works outside the lines (not the newest concept in the world). When a new agent named Charlie joins Bright’s team, he soon finds himself in situations where he isn’t sure whether his new boss is trying to kill him or simply is willing to do whatever is necessary to protect the free world.

While both Jolie and Liman have busy schedules, the studio is hoping this one can hit the fast track, and film early next year.

What else is Angelina Jolie working on?

Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

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’.