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Angelina Jolie Replaces Tom Cruise in Edwin A. Salt

by Alex Billington
August 11, 2008

Yep, you read that right. Angelina Jolie is replacing Tom Cruise in Phillip Noyce's CIA thriller Edwin A. Salt and the title will change and the screenplay will be rewritten for a female character. It was only July that we wrote about this film, announcing that Patriot Games and Catch a Fire helmer Phillip Noyce would be directing. The screenplay was written by Kurt Wimmer, of Equilibrium and Street Kings, and is being rewritten for Jolie instead. The story focuses on a CIA officer who must prove that they're not a Russian sleeper spy out to assassinate the President. The deal only fell into place two weeks ago but is making news this week - and I must say, that kind of headline will definitely shake things up.

Although the news has been reported by various outlets, no details on why Cruise left and why Jolie stepped in have been revealed. Cruise was originally attached for a while, before even Noyce joined, which is why it could be something along the lines of creative differences and Jolie as good of a replacement. Jolie is still attached to the Atlas Shrugged adaptation and plans to still do both that and Edwin A. Salt. This is an incredibly high profile project and the addition of Jolie possibly even pushes it even further into the spotlight. However, if I were to provide some criticism, I'm not exactly sure whether a female replacement for the character will result in the same kind of movie that I was initially excited to see. Anyone else?

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Dee

Awesome! I love this news. I don't hate Tom Cruise. He's still got some star attraction, but I love Angelina waaaaay more. Before the movie sounded like a remake of that Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman movie, "No Way Out" imdb.com/title/tt0093640/ Now with Angelina it sounds fresher and more exciting.
dire

Huh. You'd think they'd have to reconstruct it completely. The problem isn't "a female replacement" -- it's that Angelina Jolie is known for her hypersexualized action roles. Tom Cruise, aside from being previous badass M:I material, could've been more of an everyman (maybe). But putting Jolie in the role instantly attaches the expectation of Lara Croft: CIA. Mr. & Mrs. Smith: MOAR SRS VERSION. Cue the predictable sexy shots and empowered vixen posters. ...and maybe this could be completely different. But at this point, I doubt it. Personally, I wouldn't have been interested in a Cruise movie, but yeah, I'm not sure if a Jolie vehicle is better.
Shige

Terrible plot and a terrible "actress". Double trouble.
Drake

hey this is great news, i hope she acts in this like how she acted in taking lives
http://bleepinggeek.com Peter

I fully support any movie that takes a role away from Tom Cruis-azy.
Staatz

Dire, she was good in "The Good Shepard" and that was a serious movie, they could pull it off.
http://www.cajebo.com Michael

Well, I for one will watch it, and depending on the trailer I'll no doubt catch here, maybe even IN the theater, and not after DVD release. Besides, they got extra budget now that Tom is history. No need for a "rug" styler.
E

@2 Someone clearly hasnt seen all of her movies ....
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=137086138 Shero

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that is really funny I remember that in the past they replaced Al Pacino with Tom Cruise two times ...( maybe more I don't know ) in both ( Born on the Fourth of July 1989 ) and ( Interview with the Vampire 1994 ) .... But now replacing Tom with Jolie !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow that is what I call : Hilarious Hollywood still got the sense of humor ... ,................ ( Nothing against Tom )
Bryanmakeup

So why are you not excited? Chics kick ass just as well as any guy. I'd rather see Jolie any day sporting a gun and badge. The only reason you could have a problem with this is if your a sexist pig! If you saw her in "Taking Lives" or "Bone Collector" then should have enough faith in her to pull it off.
JL

I'm not crazy about Tom Cruise, especially after the Oprah incident and all the scientology crap, but he did a pretty good job in Collateral. That kind of film and bad guy role is out of the ordinary for him, since he usually plays the good guy except for Interview with the Vampire. It showed a different side of him. It doesn't matter anyway. If I was going to see a spy movie, it would be Body of Lies with DiCapprio and Crowe, or Traitor with Don Cheadle.
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

A woman repleacing a woman . I'm sorry, but Cruise's career is DEAD. TROPIC will bring him some more attention, but just like Gibson, he is going nowhere quickly. To reports I heard is that Jolie was intrested in it and the script changes aren't too much at all. So what will it be called? EDWINA A. SALT? ERICA A. SALT?
Dustyman1505

I heard that Cruise has already gone under a major reconstructive surgery to change his skin color just to fit the part. HE's that DeDiCated to the role. Another blow for the ole CruiseMyster.
hey hey

i think angelina is better because she will catch the attention of more women and men alike better than .......tom who?