Angelina Jolie has had quite the year playing many roles: hard-working director, beaming bride, and the only actress to open a film in the top five at the box office so far this year. (Katniss won’t catch fire until this weekend.) But it would appear from a recent interview in Du Jour magazine that Jolie is not interested in playing parts anymore. In fact, the actress claims she “absolutely” intends to quit acting. It’s just a matter of when.
Jolie explains why, as one of the most popular, beloved, and successful movie stars in the world, she would want to give it all up:
Though Jolie is undeniably genuine here, it may be a hard concept for her fans to process. Angelina Jolie? She of the purring charm and seductive screen presence? She doesn’t love being in front of the camera? That’s acting, folks. And even though directing may make Jolie happier, it’s not exactly easier. She’s explained how she struggled making Unbroken, calling it the “hardest thing I’ve ever done.” So that famous Jolie work ethic will always be in play, whether she’s in front of the camera or behind it.
But fans of watching Jolie perform on-screen, worry not. She still has at least one project in front of the camera. The much-ballyhooed By the Sea has Jolie both directing and co-starring with husband Brad Pitt. Jolie describes the juggling act of playing all three roles (actress, director, and wife) at once:
Before she makes good on her threat to quit acting, Jolie will also reprise her voice role in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and there are some tantalizing rumors of a sequel to 2010’s Salt. But knowing that every role might be Jolie’s last makes each one precious. She’s already going out on top, and we can be pretty sure she’ll go out in style. But will she go out for good?
