Universal Wants a Jolie-less Sequel for Wanted 2

Posted by Rob Hunter (rob@filmschoolrejects.com) on July 16, 2008

Angelina Jolie in Wanted

Variety sucks the sweat off a dead dog’s balls.

Seems to me if you’ve been around as long as Variety has you’d have learned a thing or two about avoiding spoilers while reporting the news. Apparently I’m wrong to have assumed that, but now I know better after reading Variety’s report on producer Marc Platt’s contract renewal with Universal Pictures. At the top of Platt’s to-do list is a sequel to the Angelina Jolie/James McAvoy hit, Wanted. I haven’t see Wanted yet as the trailers absolutely screamed “Netflix rental”, but I do plan on watching it soon. So what does Variety go ahead and do? Let’s start with what they didn’t do…

SPOILERS AHEAD

Pretty easy wasn’t it? A warning to let folks know that something important is going to be revealed… it’s a common sense courtesy. But Variety didn’t go that route… they didn’t warn their readers of potential spoilers in the news piece, spoilers such as inferring quite heavily in two separate instances that Jolie’s character dies before the end of Wanted.

“Proceeding at quicker pace is ‘Wanted 2′, though Platt acknowledged that the creative team is still working on the challenge of continuing the story after most of the principal characters – including Angelina Jolie – ended the original in no position for an encore.”

So I repeat… Variety sucks the sweat off a dead dog’s balls.

The uber-producer has several other upcoming projects on his agenda including an absolute slew of new film musicals… Jesus Christ Superstar, which I believe will be the first superhero musical; Rob Marshall’s Nine, which features Daniel Day-Lewis singing about lactose intolerance; and Wicked, which is in all honesty, the best damn stage musical you’ll ever see.

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Bob Funn

I disagree, someone that considers him/herself a entertainment journalist who's job it is to report on movies probably shouldn't be waiting for it to come out on DVD.
I guess since you can't be bothered to see movies when they come out, it makes sense that you don't really need to keep up on industry info by reading variety.

Cole Abaius

Normally, I'd be in there making fun of Hunter with the best of them, but I'm not sure I understand your point, Bob.

Since Hunter is planning on seeing a movie on DVD, he's not doing journalistic due diligence? You do realize we don't get to see all of them when they come out, right? And what does that have to do with Variety neglecting a major spoiler warning in its article? Please, educate me.

Also, Rob, you have got to solve that body odor issue before me go to Comic Con. Low blow? I agree.

Side note: How cool would The Last Temptation of the Jesus Christ Superstar be? Totally awesome? Again, rhetorically, I agree.

Rob Hunter

@ Bob, your comment has the bare bones of a worthwhile argument there so allow me to respond.

I don't consider myself an "entertainment journalist", whatever that may be, but for the sake of your argument I'll accept the tag. Does that mean I'm obligated to see every film released within days of it's premiere? Six other films opened the same day as 'Wanted'... should I have seen them all as well? As said journalist, should I see every movie starring Lindsay Lohan or Martin Lawrence, every spoof movie like 'Meet the Spartans', every 'Saw' film, etc.? Even critics have to choose wisely how to spend their time.

I will see 'Wanted', but I wasn't about to spend $10 to see a movie in the theater I felt looked incredibly cartoonish and stupid. Which leads to my second point... a 'job' is something you get paid to do, something you have to do... this is not a job, this is a hobby. I'm spending my own $ and doing something I love.

And Variety still sucks the sweat from a dead dog's balls. There's no reason not to warn readers of an upcoming spoiler.

Senseless Babble

If I may... I too thought Wanted was going to be "incredibly cartoonish and stupid", but I went and saw it anyway (at a matinÃ©e, I didn't think it would be worth the full price of a regular nightime ticket). And ya know what, because of my low expectations, i ended up enjoying it! Sure, it was a pop-corn summertime shoot 'em up, but it entertained me for the 2 hours I was there, and sometimes, that's all I need from a movie. Now, if my expectations had been high, then I would have walked out disappointed and let down. But, I wasnt insulted by the movie, it wasn't so stupid that it made me feel stupid for buying the ticket, and honestly enjoyed the film. I'd recommend giving it a chance. You might be surprised. - but thats just my opinion, I welcome yours - Senseless Babble

Bob Funn

Senseless Babble: I had a similar reaction.

And Rob I see your point and I didn't know this isn't a profession for you so apologies for jumping the gun. Variety is a paper geared towards industry so seeing stuff like that wouldn't surprise me.

Jules

If you haven't seen "Wanted" on a big screen -- you haven't seen "Wanted."

anon-a-moose

actually i find it funny that you didnt bother watching the movie, but are so upset about the spoiler, obviously you werent interested in the movie, so why get upset about a spoiler that half the world already knew, they waited a sufficient amount of time to lay it out, and never said they died, just that theyre in no position to continue it; which could mean any number of things. the death scene is all over the place anyway, stop being jealous of people who are more successful with their critiques.

Universal Wants a Jolie-less Sequel for Wanted 2

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