Angelina Jolie is set to make a thrilling return to action cinema by reuniting with director Doug Liman in the upcoming spy thriller The Initiative. Nearly two decades after their blockbuster success with Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the duo is teaming up again for a suspense‑laden espionage film currently in development with Universal Pictures. The screenplay, penned by action‑thriller specialist F. Scott Frazier, promises a gritty narrative reminiscent of Training Day, albeit in the realm of covert operations.
In The Initiative, Jolie portrays Bright, a renegade spy whose unconventional methods blur moral lines. She takes under her wing a fledgling operative, Charlie, who soon finds himself questioning whether his mentor intends to protect him—or eliminate him. The high‑tension plot explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the shadowy ethics of espionage.
Produced by RK Films, with Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum onboard—both of whom collaborated with Jolie on the Maleficent series—the project is being fast‑tracked toward production beginning in early 2026. The Initiative marks Jolie’s return to her signature action‑thriller genre, following recent roles in Eternals and Maria. For Liman, known for launching the Bourne franchise and helming hits like Roadhouse and American Made, this reunion signals another high‑octane addition to his acclaimed body of work.
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