Angelina Jolie opens up that a ‘change in my family situation’ lead to taking more acting roles

After establishing herself as one of the most bankable box office stars in the early 2000s, Angelina Jolie largely devoted the 2010s to directing, though that has changed in recent years.

The 45-year-old made her directing debut in 2011’s In the Land of Blood and Honey, which she followed up with 2014’s Unbroken, 2015’s By the Sea and 2017’s First They Killed My Father.

Jolie opened up in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, while promoting her new film Those Who Wish Me Dead, about how a ‘change in my family situation’ lead to her acting more than directing lately.

Acting, brilliant: After establishing herself as one of the most bankable box office stars in the early 2000s, Angelina Jolie largely devoted the 2010s to directing, though that has changed in recent years

Family: Jolie opened up in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly , while promoting her new film Those Who Wish Me Dead, about how a 'change in my family situation' lead to her acting more than directing lately

Family: Jolie opened up in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly , while promoting her new film Those Who Wish Me Dead, about how a ‘change in my family situation’ lead to her acting more than directing lately

The actress actually has two live-action movies coming out this year – the first time that has happened for her since 2010, when she had Salt and The Tourist.

Those Who Wish Me Dead debuts in theaters and on HBO Max on May 14, with her highly-anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Eternals arriving November 5.

When asked about her shift towards acting in favor of directing, Jolie said it was due to her family, but directing is still a passion for her.

New movies: The actress actually has two live-action movies coming out this year - the first time that has happened for her since 2010, when she had Salt and The Tourist

New movies: The actress actually has two live-action movies coming out this year – the first time that has happened for her since 2010, when she had Salt and The Tourist

‘I love directing, but I had a change in my family situation that’s not made it possible for me to direct for a few years,’ she said. 

‘I needed to just do shorter jobs and be home more, so I kind of went back to doing a few acting jobs. That’s really the truth of it,’ Jolie added. 

She has been engaged in a lengthy custody battle with Brad Pitt since 2016, following their split after more than a decade together and over two years of marriage.

Family situation: 'I love directing, but I had a change in my family situation that's not made it possible for me to direct for a few years,' she said

Family situation: ‘I love directing, but I had a change in my family situation that’s not made it possible for me to direct for a few years,’ she said

Jolie has six children, three of which – Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, and Zahara, 16 – were adopted internationally, and three with Pitt – Shiloh, 14 and 12-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

Jolie’s new film First They Killed My Father also marks her return to stunt work, adding how much she admired writer-director (and former actor) Taylor Sheridan’s voice, which drew her to the film.  

‘He has a unique voice when it comes to characters within America, which had not been a prior focus of my work. I wanted to be in this world with him,’ Jolie said.

Six kids: Jolie has six children, three of which - Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, and Zahara, 16 - were adopted internationally, and three with Pitt - Shiloh, 14 and 12-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne

Six kids: Jolie has six children, three of which – Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, and Zahara, 16 – were adopted internationally, and three with Pitt – Shiloh, 14 and 12-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne

She added that her experience as a director has also changed her approach as an actor as well.

‘In very technical terms, I’m more aware of what the director needs, and what other challenges they’re facing, and how many different pieces are moving,’ she said.,

‘Maybe when you’re younger and you’re having a huge day where you have to be cold and wet and emotional and crying, you’re thinking about those things. Now you’ve directed and you’re older, and you realize that while you are going to be freezing and crying, there’s also pyrotechnics going on, or multiple other situations. It pulls you out of yourself,’ she added.

Approach: She added that her experience as a director has also changed her approach as an actor as well

Approach: She added that her experience as a director has also changed her approach as an actor as well

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