A new update has sparked excitement around The Initiative. Fresh reports reveal Angelina Jolie will reunite with Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Edge of Tomorrow director Doug Liman for the upcoming spy thriller, with early details hinting at high-stakes espionage and intense action.
Doug Liman to direct Angelina Jolie in The Initiative spy thriller
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Universal is finalizing a deal to acquire the project, with F. Scott Frazier writing the screenplay.
RK Films’ Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will be the producers of the film, and Executive VP of production development Jay Polidoro, along with director of development Tony Ducret, will manage its development for Universal.
Described as “Training Day set in the world [of] spycraft,” the story follows a rogue master spy named Bright, played by Jolie, who operates outside the rules, and a new agent named Charlie. When the two start working together, Charlie faces uncertainty over whether his boss, Bright, is trying to kill him or doing whatever is necessary to protect the world. Production is being targeted to start in the first quarter of 2026.
Jolie’s recent credits include Maria, in which she portrayed soprano Maria Callas, and Marvel’s Eternals. Over the years, she has also appeared in Maleficent, Salt, The Tourist, and Wanted. Her upcoming work includes Alice Winocour’s drama Couture and the feature adaptation of Anxious People. Behind the camera, she has directed First They Killed My Father, Unbroken, and the upcoming Without Blood.
Liman directed Roadhouse for Amazon MGM Studios and The Instigators for Apple TV+. His Universal credits include The Bourne Identity and American Made. Liman is developing a delayed underwater event film, Deeper.
F. Scott Frazier’s writing credits include Collide and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. In 2024, he and Jimmy Loweree sold Outdueled to Amazon.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
