Angelina Jolie returns to action films as gangster in new thriller

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is set to star in a new action-packed thriller, Sunny, marking her return to action roles.

The film follows a female gangster who must protect her two sons from an abusive drug lord and faces just hours to plan a permanent escape after a traumatic event. Angelina began production on the movie, directed by Eva Sørhaug, with a script co-written by Sørhaug and William Day Frank for Gramercy Park Media, A Higher Standard, and Nickel City Pictures.

Mark Fasano, producer at Nickel City Pictures, described Jolie as a “tour-de-force” in the role. “People are going to be shocked by what she brings to this riveting character,” he said. “This violent world is grounded in survival and family, led by a mother doing everything she can to protect her boys.”

Jolie, 50, who recently earned praise for her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in Maria, brings her signature intensity to Sunny. She told Variety that for Maria, she had to “bluff” her way through singing scenes despite never having sung professionally.

The project comes after Jolie’s recent trip to Ukraine, where she visited frontline areas in Kherson and Mykolaiv amid the Russian invasion. She met with local residents and observed how schools and hospitals have been moved underground to continue operations safely. “The people of Mykolaiv and Kherson live with danger every day, but they refuse to give in,” Jolie said in a statement.

Producers praised Jolie for her dedication and attention to detail. Nathan Klingher of Gramercy Park said, “Angelina has made this role uniquely her own. Strong, character-driven thrillers like this are rare, and the work she and Eva have done is impressive.”

Sunny promises to showcase Jolie’s action prowess while highlighting the resilience of a mother fighting to survive in a dangerous world.