Angelina Jolie rejected Charlie’s Angels role for objectification, turning down a major opportunity in Hollywood at the height of her rising fame in the late 1990s. Jolie’s decision was anchored in her discomfort with being typecast as a sex symbol rather than celebrated for her diverse acting talents.
Jolie’s Early Career Choices Set a Distinct Path
In the late ’90s, Jolie garnered attention with standout performances in TV films like Gia and George Wallace. She quickly established her versatility through varied roles: she played a young police officer working with a detective in The Bone Collector, earned an Oscar nomination portraying a troubled sociopath in Girl, Interrupted, and joined Gone in 60 Seconds as a bold, dreadlocked mechanic who bartends on the side. Each of these performances highlighted her range, and none overtly exploited her appearance, which she guarded closely against stereotypical portrayals.
The Studio’s Offer to Star in Charlie’s Angels
As her fame in Hollywood increased, studios moved quickly to cast Jolie as a sex symbol. Columbia Pictures pitched her the script for a new version of Charlie’s Angels, an action-packed film based on the popular TV series featuring strong female leads. Executives encouraged her with the prospect of greater fame and fun, as she described to the Calgary Sun:
“There hadn’t been really good, strong roles for women; that it would make me a big star; and that I would have a fun time doing it.”
—Columbia Pictures executives, as told to the Calgary Sun
Objectification Led to Jolie’s Refusal
Despite the script being, in her words, “cute and clever,” Jolie was displeased by suggestions that strong female roles were rare—especially given her recent work in empowering parts. She was also unmoved by the studio’s promise of stardom, focusing instead on meaningful roles rather than celebrity. Jolie explained her lack of interest succinctly:
“The idea of being a big star has absolutely no appeal to me,”
—Angelina Jolie
The idea of performing in a film designed to sell the sex appeal of its three leads was a key factor in her refusal. Jolie had no interest in running through scenes in high heels for the benefit of what she perceived as Hollywood’s frequent objectification of women. She noted that Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore, already confirmed as cast members, could playfully spoof their status, something Jolie felt ill-suited for so early in her career. As Jolie weighed these factors, she determined the part did not align with her principles.
Other Actresses Considered, Similar Concerns Aired
After Jolie declined, the search for the third Angel became a significant casting hurdle for director McG. The production explored options such as Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, and eventually cast Thandiwe Newton, who later dropped out close to filming. Newton’s reasoning echoed Jolie’s, and she recalled an experience that cemented her decision:
“I didn’t want to be put in a position where I was objectified. That just didn’t feel good.”
—Thandiwe Newton, as quoted by Vulture
Impact and Reassessment of Jolie’s Choices
Lucy Liu ultimately joined Diaz and Barrymore, and the resulting film achieved commercial success and spawned a sequel in 2003. During this time, Jolie’s own career advanced rapidly. Interestingly, her acclaimed turn as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider—a role often critiqued for its focus on female objectification—raised questions about Hollywood’s standards and the difficult choices faced by actresses navigating public image, career advancement, and personal ethics.
Jolie’s firm refusal of the Charlie’s Angels part highlighted ongoing issues in Hollywood regarding how women are perceived and valued. The reactions and choices of stars like Jolie and Newton continue to spark debate and reflection on roles offered to women, the tension between empowerment and objectification, and the long-term impact of such choices across the film industry.
