Actress Angelina Jolie and director Doug Liman are teaming up once more for a new spy thriller titled The Initiative, which has secured a package deal with Universal Pictures. This marks a reunion for the pair, who previously worked together on the hit action comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Screenwriter and Studio Background
The screenplay for The Initiative was written by F. Scott Frazier, known for his work on Collide and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Liman has a strong history with Universal, having helped launch the studio’s lucrative Jason Bourne franchise by directing the original 2002 film The Bourne Identity. Plans for the next Bourne installment reportedly involve director Edward Berger.
Recent Projects of Angelina Jolie and Doug Liman
Angelina Jolie remains a prominent figure in the action genre. Recently, she appeared in Chloé Zhao’s Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals and starred in Taylor Sheridan’s wildfire thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead. She is set to appear in Couture, a drama by Alice Winocour centered around Paris Fashion Week, which will premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival. Additionally, Jolie is involved in Marc Forster’s hostage drama Anxious People, acting alongside Aimee Lou Wood, known for her breakout role in White Lotus.
Doug Liman recently directed the remake of Road House, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, although he had creative disagreements with Amazon MGM Studios regarding the film’s release and will not return for the sequel. Liman also directed the Apple Original Films heist comedy The Instigators, featuring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck.
Future Endeavors and Expectations for ‘The Initiative’
While committed to directing The Initiative, Doug Liman is also expected to direct the upcoming underwater action film Deeper starring Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas. The project has been seeking a studio home with a substantial budget reportedly around $200 million. There remains cautious optimism regarding the potential production of the sequel to Edge of Tomorrow, which Liman previously directed.
Fans are eager to learn who will join Angelina Jolie in this new spy thriller, which is anticipated to be a significant addition to Universal’s action slate.
