How Clint Eastwood Inspired Angelina Jolie’s Fierce Performance in Wanted

When you think of Clint Eastwood, words like “gritty,” “stoic,” and “legendary” spring to mind—but “sultry” rarely makes the list. Yet, it was precisely Eastwood’s iconic steely-eyed charisma that inspired Angelina Jolie as she crafted her unforgettable role of Fox in the 2008 action-thriller Wanted.

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and based on Mark Millar’s comic book, Wanted centers on a reluctant assassin, Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), who discovers his deadly heritage and learns to curve bullets with deadly precision. Interestingly, the character of Fox, the enigmatic female lead, underwent a dramatic transformation from the graphic novel to the screen—tailored specifically to suit Jolie’s vision.

Jolie sought to embody a character who was “distant and unattainable,” someone who wielded power not just through skill but through presence. To achieve this, she turned to one of cinema’s greatest masters of silent intensity: Clint Eastwood. Drawing on Eastwood’s iconic roles—like the laconic Man with No Name and the tough-as-nails ‘Dirty’ Harry—Jolie infused Fox with a cool, minimalist charisma. Fox speaks sparingly, letting a piercing glance or a subtle eyebrow raise communicate more than words ever could, a nod to Eastwood’s legendary ability to say so much with so little.

This influence was perhaps underscored by Jolie’s near-immediate collaboration with Eastwood after filming Wanted. Just months later, she starred in Eastwood’s 2008 drama Changeling, delivering a powerhouse performance as Christine Collins, a grieving mother battling corruption. The stark contrast between Fox and Christine—two roles occupying opposite ends of the cinematic spectrum—showcased Jolie’s remarkable range and her ability to channel Eastwood’s understated intensity in different ways.

Although Eastwood famously shunned the comic book genre (he even turned down the role of Superman in the late 1970s), his imprint is unmistakable in blockbuster cinema. His unique brand of rugged charisma continues to inspire a new generation of actors—Jolie included. She isn’t alone; Carrie-Anne Moss cited Eastwood as a key influence on her portrayal of Trinity in The Matrix, proving that Eastwood’s style transcends genres and generations.

In Wanted, Jolie’s Eastwood-inspired Fox stands as a testament to how the silent power of classic film icons can shape modern action heroines. While Eastwood himself may never have ventured into the realm of comic book films, his legacy lives on—quiet, fierce, and undeniably cool—in the performances of stars like Angelina Jolie.