Angelina Jolie Made Writers Rewrite the Entire Script for a Movie That Was Originally Penned for Tom Cruise
Angelina Jolie’s legacy in Hollywood spans decades, solidifying her as one of the foremost and top-earning actresses of her time. Her unique acting skill even made her replace Mission: Impossible star in a movie. In a movie called Salt, she took over a role that was supposed to be played by the famous actor, Tom Cruise. Her pivotal role in the film Salt marked a significant moment in her career.
Jolie’s commitment to the role extended beyond mere performance. The actress even made writers write a whole new script for her. Her dedication to the project led her to collaborate on a new narrative that better suited a female lead.
Angelina Jolie’s Influence on Salt‘s Script Alteration
In a fascinating turn of events, Angelina Jolie stepped into a movie role, that was initially written for a male actor. The role was specifically intended for the renowned Top Gun star Tom Cruise. But eventually, Angelina Jolie starred in Phillip Noyce’s CIA thriller Salt.
Initially, the script was written keeping in mind Tom Cruise, playing the role of Edward Salt. However, casting a female lead instead of a male actor requires a major alteration in the script. Angelina Jolie made writers write a completely new character named Evelyn Salt in the movie Salt. In the film, Jolie plays a CIA operative on the run after she is accused of being a Russian double agent.
Originally, the character of Edwin A. Salt was scripted to embark on a mission to rescue his wife and child. However, Jolie expressed reservations about playing a role where a child was in danger. the director Philip Noyce revealed (via IMDb),
“The final act of the original movie was devoted to Edwin A. Salt saving his wife and kid. But that was so expected and Angie didn’t want to have a kid (in the movie). She thought she wouldn’t have a child if she was that character to put the child in such jeopardy.”
Surprisingly, the script underwent some required changes, in which Evelyn Salt portrayed by Angelina Jolie underwent an investigation process of her husband’s disappearance and faced some deadly problems as well. This shift not only altered the character dynamics but also marked a significant milestone. Her portrayal in Salt effectively positioned her as the first female action star in Hollywood.
Unveiling Tom Cruise’s departure from Salt Odyssey
In the action-packed thriller Salt, the lead character’s journey underwent a captivating series of changes. The titular character of the movie was originally slated to be played by Tom Cruise. However, this movie has its own twists and turns. Ultimately, Angelina Jolie took over the character replacing Cruise.
Interestingly, Top Gun star Tom Cruise initially declined his involvement in the movie Salt. He hesitated because the character resembled his iconic portrayal of Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible series. Phillip Noyce said (via NBC),
“Tom was flirting with the part, and we just couldn’t pin him down. Eventually he did ‘Knight and Day’ instead.”
Cruise’s decision to opt out led to a reshaping of the project’s direction. At the same time, Tom Cruise stepped away to focus on another project, Knight and Day. Interestingly, even before the director, Phillip Noyce, joined the production, Cruise had been associated with the movie for a period. However, with the transition of the lead role from Edwin to Evelyn Salt, the story took a dramatic shift, aligning it with Angelina Jolie’s eventual involvement in the character.
