As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours lost in the silver screen world, I must say that Angelina Jolie’s career is nothing short of captivating. Her ability to transform herself into various characters, from the malevolent Maleficent to the fierce Tigress, has left an indelible mark on cinema.
The actress Angelina Jolie returns to the spotlight! She has garnered widespread acclaim for her role in “Maria,” a biographical film about Maria Anna Cecilia Sofia Kalogeropoulos, one of the 20th century’s most impactful opera singers. Written by Steven Knight, creator of “Peaky Blinders,” this movie has received positive feedback from critics regarding its overall production quality. Unfortunately, it may not see significant box office success as it debuted on Netflix on December 11, just two weeks after its theatrical premiere.
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can confidently attest that Angelina Jolie’s reputation as a cinematic golden goose is undeniable. Her breakthrough role in Hackers was just the beginning of a career that has consistently boosted studios’ profits. The 2000s and 2010s were her golden decades, with her starring in numerous high-budget productions that raked in massive earnings due to their superior quality and her presence on screen. To add to her impressive repertoire, she has garnered a remarkable collection of awards, taking home two Oscars (one honorary), three Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmys.
So far, these are her greatest hits, according to Box Office Mojo.
10
‘Salt’ (2010)
$293.50 million
In a different scenario, CIA agent Evelyn Salt, portrayed by Angelina Jolie, finds herself on the run after being falsely accused as a Russian spy. Determined to clear her name, she embarks on a thrilling journey. Initially intended for Tom Cruise, this role perfectly suits Jolie, evoking the spirit of Mission Impossible. At times, her barefoot escapades may stir memories of John McClane in Die Hard.
Christopher Nolan Got in the Way
Columbia Pictures had significant expectations for the movie titled Salt. They launched a robust marketing strategy for it, which included a panel at San Diego Comic-Con and an episodic advertising game called “Day X Exists”. In this game, players undertook intricate missions to reveal a terrorist plot. Unfortunately, they released the film on the same day as Inception. It had no chance against Christopher Nolan’s movie, which earned approximately $500 million more. However, with earnings of $293 million, it’s still a substantial sum of money that most of us would gladly accept and flee like Evelyn Salt.
9
‘Wanted’ (2008)
$342.46 million
Instead of sticking to a mundane office job, Wesley (played by James McAvoy) decides to take on a thrilling new role as an assassin in the movie “Wanted“. He takes out his frustrations on a sleeping colleague who was involved with his girlfriend by destroying his keyboard. However, this secretive organization has questionable characters who may not always have Wesley’s well-being in mind, including the stern Fox (Angelina Jolie).
Wanted by Audiences
Given stars like Terence Stamp and Morgan Freeman in the lineup, Wanted was predestined to be a blockbuster success. The studio executives were so certain of its potential that they advanced its premiere from March to the summer months. Additionally, since the movie was helmed by Timur Bekmambetov, Universal produced a localized version tailored for Russia, a decision which undoubtedly enhanced the ticket sales.
8
‘Shark Tale’ (2004)
$374 million
Is “ocean cred” (or street cred in different contexts) significant? Indeed, it holds considerable importance in the world of Shark Tale, as demonstrated by Oscar (Will Smith’s character). In this story, he seeks more respect and the affections of the gold-digging lionfish, Lola (Jolie), by fabricating a tale about slaying the son of shark mafia boss Don Lino (De Niro). Essentially, Shark Tale can be seen as a children’s version of a mafia movie, drawing criticism for its use of Italian-American stereotypes. Despite these criticisms, the film managed to captivate audiences, seemingly overlooking these concerns based on its strong box office performance.
One of the Biggest Marketing Campaigns for an Animated Movie
In simple terms, the movie “Shark Tale” earned a sum of money ($374.6 million) that would be appreciated by members of the mafia (Cosa Nostra), given it was made with an impressive lineup of stars like Vincent Pastore from “The Sopranos” and Martin Scorsese, a renowned director known for gangster films, lending their voices. Additionally, its success can be attributed to exceptional marketing strategies. Fast food chain Burger King included action figures of the movie in kids’ meals, Coca-Cola products showcased the film on their packaging, and Krispy Kreme offered doughnuts themed around “Shark Tale.
7
‘Eternals’ (2021)
$402 million
In the film titled Eternals, we encounter immortal extraterrestrial beings called The Eternals as they awaken from a long slumber spanning thousands of years to defend Earth against their age-old adversaries, the Deviants. Angelina Jolie portrays Thena, an exceptional warrior among the Eternals who possesses the ability to generate weapons using cosmic power.
Poorly Cooked
The movie “Eternals” fell into the category of poorly performing Marvel Cinematic Universe films, much like $402 million might seem small to a high-flying studio, but it’s as insignificant to Marvel Studios as a billion is to Elon Musk. The film’s lower earnings can be attributed partly to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on theater operations, and poor reviews certainly didn’t boost its box office performance.
6
‘Mr & Mrs Smith’ (2005)
$487.28 million
Above all, Mr. and Mrs. Smith is most famously known for being the movie where Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s romantic connection blossomed. In this film, they portray a bored upper-middle-class married couple who discover that they are professional assassins working for rival firms, and they have been assigned to eliminate each other.
Doug Liman was an Accidental Matchmaker
When it came to making the movie “Mr & Mrs Smith“, casting Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt was a smart decision since they were popular figures in Hollywood at that time. Interestingly, Doug Liman originally intended for Nicole Kidman to play the female lead, but ultimately, Jolie got the role instead. Although Kidman would have undoubtedly done well, Jolie’s fans will be pleased with how things turned out as her performance further enhanced her fame and popularity.
5
‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’ (2019)
$491.73 million
Five years after the initial film, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil finds our title character (Jolie) grappling with the changing view of her within the neighboring kingdom, now seeing her more as a villain. Additionally, there’s a side story about the emergence and growing power of an endangered fairy race called the Dark Fey.
The Malevolence Continues
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can confidently say that when an opening film leaves a lasting impression, it’s only natural for crowds to flock to the sequel. This pattern proved beneficial for Disney’s “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.” The anticipation was heightened by Disney’s strategic marketing efforts. Prior to its release, the studio shared a captivating behind-the-scenes featurette that delved into Maleficent’s character evolution and the development arcs of the supporting characters. Moreover, they offered a compelling black-and-white sneak peek, showcasing the intricate makeup process that transformed Angelina Jolie into the iconic Maleficent.
4
‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ (2016)
$521 million
In “Kung Fu Panda 3”, the main character Po (played by Jack Black) reconnects with his birth father and discovers a hidden Panda sanctuary. However, he quickly needs to grasp chi and mobilize the other pandas for a fight against Kai, a powerful spirit warrior who aims to demolish Master Oogway’s teachings. Tigress, an expert in tiger martial arts, is voiced by Angelina Jolie.
Employing a Staggered Release Format
In different countries, Kung Fu Panda 3 had varying release dates. Although this appeared strange, it was a strategic decision aimed at capitalizing on favorable seasons. Specifically, in China, the animated movie synchronized with the Chinese New Year, a period when many people were celebratory and keen to visit cinemas. Ultimately, it’s an entertaining film suitable for families that lives up to its predecessors.
3
‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)
$631 million
The movie Kung Fu Panda presents us with Po, a China-dwelling enthusiast who loves kung fu and resides in the peaceful Valley. However, his tranquil life is disrupted when the fierce snow leopard Tai Lung decides to assault the Valley. Later on, Po gets chosen as the “Dragon Warrior,” a legendary hero foretold in prophecy, with the potential to decipher a scroll containing extraordinary powers.
Kicking the Competition
The animated movie turned out to be extremely popular, ending up as the third highest-earning film of 2008 and the top-grossing animated film globally for that year. Interestingly, it surpassed “The Incredible Hulk” in box office success despite both movies being released around the same time. This impressive feat can largely be attributed to its numerous comedic scenes and the captivating introduction of a new character who lived up to expectations.
2
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
$665 million
As I sat down in the cinema, settling into my seat for a spin through Kung Fu Panda 2, I found myself joining forces with the lovable and talented Po and his dynamic team, the Furious Five – Tigress, Crane, Monkey, Viper, and Mantis. Together, we embarked on an exhilarating journey to the bustling city of Gongmen, where our mission was to thwart the malevolent peacock, Lord Shen, from overtaking China. Along the way, we also helped Po unravel the secrets of his long-forgotten past.
Keeping the Magic Alive
Kung Fu Panda 2’s millions earned it the record for the highest-grossing film directed by a female director until Frozen. In addition to that, the film was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar, proving that its success wasn’t just because of good marketing. The quality was obvious. Beyond that, enthusiasm was very high in various Asian markets. For example, the film became the highest-grossing film in Vietnam, surpassing Avatar.
1
‘Maleficent’ (2014)
$759.85 million
In a modern interpretation, Angelina Jolie takes on the lead role as Maleficent in a live-action adaptation of her wicked character from Disney’s classic tale, Sleeping Beauty. This switch to live-action was inspired by Jolie’s keen interest in the role.
Targeting the Right Demographic
Reflecting on the success of “Maleficent,” I can’t help but admire Disney’s shrewd marketing approach. They strategically targeted female audiences, recognizing a growing appetite for more female-led films amidst the influx of male-dominated big-budget productions. This tactic paid off handsomely, propelling Angelina Jolie to achieve her most successful film yet.
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2024-12-15 04:32