Angelina Jolie Updates: Angelina Jolie, the Hollywood actress, isn’t one to mince words. Whether it’s spending the last 20 years as a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or speaking out when some nations banned her latest film Eternals because of a same-sex kiss, the Oscar winner is known for never holding back.
“I applaud Marvel for refusing to remove such scenes. “Anyone who is furious about it, feels intimidated by it, or doesn’t like or enjoy it is ignorant,” she recently told an Australian news site.
So when Angelina Jolie opens up about her own PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and the necessity of normalizing mental illness in film, we pay attention.
The 46-year-old actress portrays Thena, a physically powerful but emotionally sensitive member of the extraterrestrial Eternals who fights with her mental health on a regular basis in the film. How far into herself did she have to go to bring her character to life on the big screen?
“What’s interesting is that Chloe (Zhao, the director of Eternals) casts people she thinks to look a little like the characters. “And then she works with you to construct the character,” Jolie told CNA Lifestyle.
“I had told her about my own experience with PTSD a few years ago, as well as my own anxieties of not being strong enough to defend those I care about,” she added openly. “And then we’d have these chats, and then we’d make changes to the dialogue and some of the situations.”
There isn’t a single actor more suited to play Thena.
The immortal Eternals, we pointed out, come off as some of the most human of all the prominent characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for genetically superior non-human superheroes (MCU). And that warrior Thena, in particular, seemed to be a figure that many people, particularly women, could identify with – someone who has a tough exterior but is actually dealing with a lot of mental and emotional turmoil that is kept hidden.
What Angelina Jolie Says About Her Character?
InsiderWith a smile, Jolie said, “I adore what you said because I think that’s completely accurate.” “Most people, particularly women, believe that having it all together is what makes us powerful.” But the truth is that most people are dealing with something — whether it’s a trauma or a lack of self-confidence. So, sure, the vast majority of people. That is, in fact, what makes you strong! It’s something you’re dealing with.”
“Sometimes people who appear broken are just highly emotional people with strong feelings and are genuinely intelligent, who are simply absorbing too much,” she explained. They have no idea how to deal with it because they can’t shut it out. But it is their ability to accept it that makes them powerful. And it is an emotion that makes a woman so powerful. Our strength is in the depth of our feelings. But, yes, it’s quite difficult.”
Perhaps placing a character like Thena – a heroine who struggles with her emotions and mental equilibrium – on the big screen sends a message to everyone that it’s alright not to be okay?
Normalizing mental health on a massive platform like a Marvel film is obviously important to Jolie. Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Ma Dong-seok, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, and deaf actress Lauren Ridloff were among the Eternals cast members that convinced her to say “yes” to her first Marvel film.
“I was one of the initial cast members, but they informed me of the strategy.” They stated that this is the type of family they want to create. “And this is what Marvel is committing to,” she said. “And I stated that I don’t care how big or tiny my position is; all I want to do is be a part of that family and, you know, make that the new norm,” she said.
Of course, Jolie’s relationship with Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao was also crucial.
“I knew she’d tackle it with the appropriate amount of knowledge and nuance. “I believe that’s also what’s important about it,” she added.
“There’s a lot of diversity, but when you see the movie, it’s portrayed the way it should be – as if it’s just ordinary.” “It’s natural for a family and superheroes to be made up of people from diverse walks of life,” she explained. “And I believe that when tiny kids view this video, it will simply make them see themselves, and they will not even notice how different they are.” “It’ll just feel right,” says the narrator.
Will Jolie renew her wish to go behind the camera and direct a Marvel film now that she’s finally joined the MCU?
“I believe they are difficult to do and direct.” With a grin, she remarked, “My films have always been about, like, history – most of my films are, you know, historic war flicks.” “It’d be a difficult task.” But I’m never going to say never. I’m not sure if I’d be the right fit just yet, but you never know.”
