Do you recall the time Angelina Jolie didn’t seize the chance to show off the unequivocal benefits of being a movie angel with Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore in Charlie’s Angels? Yes, you are right I was to do action packed girls gang in 2000 and I was to say – ‘Are you kidding!’ Which up-and-coming actress with an Oscar in sight would refuse such a perfect part for some trumped-up reason? So let’s look at this decision: the wild ride you never saw coming.
Back then, Jolie was on fire !!! With the movies such as The Bone Collector and Girl, Interrupted she was on her track to stardom literally. Columbia Picture presumed ‘Charlie’s Angels’ was the final topping for her. They unrolled it and immediately started marketing it heavily insisting it was the red carpet. In an interview with Premiere Magazine, Jolie said, “When Columbia Pictures sent me the script for Charlie’s Angels they told me there were no perfect, strong roles for women, it would make me a star, and I’d enjoy the process”.
But here’s the kicker: Jolie wasn’t biting. All my parts in Gia, Playing by Heart and The Bone Collector have been proud female. The concept of being a big STAR, has absolutely ZERO TRACT, for me, she use to reply. Ouch! You have got to love how this knocked Hollywood down to size. Estranged from the feel of the movie, Charlie’s Angels, Jolie quipped that people would not like her running after the villains in high heels.
After the wild and intense karma trip of Girl Interrupted she wanted something that was a bit more laid-back. Yes and no,” she said and sighed as she added, “It was a weighty thing.” “It weighed on me.” She could only have her eyes on Gone in 60 Seconds. “That was going to be my fun movie, and I was going to have fun doing it with guys,” she said, wanting to take on some risks for a change.
While Charlie’s Angels was supposed to be an action comedy, Jolie said she was attracted to the tough character of her role in Gone in 60 Seconds. She said it felt like taking root in a particular place. That’s why I did this film to let myself be anchored too because she is, you know, her hands are greasy.” She’s got two jobs. I like that she has her mind on what she wants, the small things in life are all that is required to make her happy. Oh wow, that’s a gal we can all comprehend with, enjoy with and aspire to emulating.
And if you believe that Jolie did not know the extent of the exposure that comes with Charlie’s Angels than she’s mistaken. Of course, this was followed by its sequel, What Women Want 2 in the same year, 2001 has her saying this to Film Ink in an interview; “Plus, I don’t wanna be that exposed by being in a huge movie.” That’s a power play right there; she said it like she didn’t want her looks to be a factor in anything that went on.
Finally, it was a very big pay off for Jolie’s calculated risk. Farah succeeded to rise to even greater heights without the Angels of Charlie, and the movie did not lose all that steam; it went on to make an astounding $259.7 million in ticket business. But wait—Gone in 60 Seconds wasn’t far behind, bringing in $232.6 million.
Thus, even though Jolie chose to skip the raw action-tivity of Charlie’s Angels, she could not make a better choice that would reflect her personality. It is rare to find that the less trodden path is even more adventurous than the one with heavy traffic!