Angelina Jolie said she took a step back from directing to return to acting because of “a change in her family situation.”
After establishing herself as one of the most bankable boxing stars in the early 2000s, she largely devoted 2010 to directing, although she now insisted that further pursuing directing had become “impossible”.
The star made her directorial debut in 2011 in The Land of Blood and Honey, followed by 2014 Unbroken, By the Sea in 2015 and First They Killed My Father in 2017.
Although she did not specifically detail what the “change” is, Angelina, 45, was engaged in a long custody battle with her ex-husband Brad Pitt in 2016, after their separation after more than a decade together. and over two years of marriage.
Changes are being made: Angelina Jolie said she took a step back from directing to return to acting due to “a change in her family situation”
When asked about her acting career in favor of directing, Angelina said the move was due to her family, but directing is still a passion for her.
She told Entertainment Weekly honestly: “I like directing, but I had a change in my family situation that didn’t make it possible for me to direct for a few years.
“I only had to do shorter jobs and be more at home, so I kind of came back to do some acting jobs. This is really the truth.
Angelina and Brad have been at war with their five-year-old children, Brad is struggling to have 50/50 custody, Angelina wanting full physical custody.
Family: Angelina talked about how a “change in my family situation” has led her to act more than direct lately.
They announced their separation in 2016 and legally divorced in 2019, but things are far from amicable between the two, as she continues to accuse abuse.
He has six children, three of whom – Maddox, 19, Pax, 17 and Zahara, 16 – have been adopted, and three with Brad – Shiloh, 14 and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12.
Since Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne’s children are minors, both Brad and Angelina should give them permission to testify, but Maddox, Zahara and Pax are over 18, so they would be free to testify.
The director By the Sea has previously admitted that he believes he “lacks” the skills to be a traditional parent at home.
Back when: Although she did not specifically detail what the “change” is, 45-year-old Angelina was engaged in a long custody battle with her ex-husband Brad Pitt in 2016, after their separation after more than a decade together and over two years of marriage (in 2015)
New movies: The actress actually has two live-action movies this year – the first time this happened to her since 2010, when she had Salt and The Tourist
She said in February: “I have never been very good at staying calm. I feel that I lack all the skills to become a traditional mother at home.
“Even though I wanted to have many children and be a mother, I always imagined that she looked like Jane Goodall, traveling somewhere in the middle of the jungle. I did not imagine it in that true, traditional sense.
The actress has two live-action movies this year – the first time that happened to her since 2010, when she had Salt and The Tourist.
The Who Wish Me Dead also debuts in theaters on HBO Max on May 14, with its highly anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Eternals coming on November 5th.
Family situation: “I like directing, but I had a change in my family situation, which did not make it possible for me to drive for several years,” she said.
Angelina’s new film First They Killed My Father also marks her return to stunt work, adding how much she admired the voice of writer-director (and former actor) Taylor Sheridan, who drew her to the film.
She said: “She has a unique voice when it comes to American characters who have not been a priority of my work. I wanted to be in this world with him.
She added that her experience as a director also changed her approach as an actor.
Six children: Angelina has six children, three of whom – Maddox, 19, Pax, 17 and Zahara, 16 – have been adopted internationally, and three with Pitt – Shiloh, twins Knox and Vivienne, aged 14 and 12
Angelina added: “In very technical terms, I am more aware of what the director needs, what other challenges he faces and how many different pieces he moves …
“Maybe when you’re younger and you have a huge day when you have to be cold and wet, emotional and crying, you think about those things …
“Now you have directed and you are older and you realize that, although you will be frozen and crying, there is pyrotechnics or other multiple situations. Get you out of here. ‘
Approach: She added that her experience as a director also changed her approach as an actor