Jolie’s ‘Wanted’ Film Posters Banned for Glamorizing Guns

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned Billboard ads for Angelina Jolie film “Wanted,” an action film which was released in Britain this summer, citing the posters glamorize gun violence and are not suitable to be viewed by children.

The advertising standards watchdog’s ruling came after the agency received a series of complaints about the two posters for the “Wanted” film, on the grounds that they glorified and glamorized gun crime.

Seventeen people lodged complaints about the Wanted posters showing Hollywood beauty Jolie and her co-star James McAvoy holding or firing guns. They complained that the scenes on the posters glorified and glamorized gun crime.

Of the complainants, seven also objected on the grounds that the posters were unsuitable to be seen by children - and the complaint was upheld by the ASA.

Seven others further objected that the sultry, weapon-baring promotional images can add to the increasingly sensitive social climate in Britain where rapid rise of gun use and violence among youth can be seen. However, ASA did not agree on this count.

"We acknowledged most viewers would understand the posters reflected the content of an action film," the ASA said in its ruling. "However, we considered that because the ads featured a glamorous actress, action poses, several images of, or related to guns and aspirational text, they could be seen to glamorize the use of guns and violence."

Universal Pictures (UK) said the advertisements were no longer appearing and the style of the posters simply reflected the film's comic book roots.

“Universal Pictures stated that they were aware that the current climate was sensitive and believed the text and images were relevant to the advertised film and communicated the themes without causing serious or widespread offence," said the ASA.

But, UK’s regulator said the images could be seen to condone violence, and ruled that the posters were no longer to appear in public.

Of the two posters in question, the first featured Jolie resting on her knee and clutching a gun directed upwards, with McAvoy in the background holding a gun in each hand, pointing towards the camera.

The other ad featured several images of Wanted film cast, including Jolie, McAvoy and actor Morgan Freeman. In one image, Jolie can be seen lying on her back across the bonnet of a car, holding a gun, while the other showed her firing a gun.

“Wanted” is an action-packed film in which Jolie plays a professional assassin.