WANTED
Year: 2008
USA: Universal Pictures
UK: Universal Pictures International (UK)
Cast: James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann, Common, Kristen Hager, Marc Warren, David Patrick O'Hara, Konstantin Khabensky, Dato Bakhtadze, Chris Pratt, Lorna Scott, Sophiya Haque, Brian Caspe, Mark O'Neal, Bridget McManus
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Country: USA
USA & UK: 110 mins
USA Rated: R for strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality
UK Certificate: 18 contains strong bloody violence
USA Release Date: 27 June 2008
UK Release Date: 25 June 2008
UK DVD Release Date: 20 October 2008
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Synopsis
Based upon Mark Millar's explosive graphic novel series and helmed by stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov - creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history, the NIGHT WATCH series - WANTED tells the tale of one apathetic nobody's transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice. In 2008, the world will be introduced to a hero for a new generation: Wesley Gibson.
25 year-old Wes (James McAvoy, ATONEMENT) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut.
Fortunately for Wes, his life is over at least his old one, anyway, all because of a girl - hot Fox (Angelina Jolie, MR & MRS SMITH, LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER), who crashes into Wes on the business end of a smoking gun. Seems Wes' long-lost and mostly forgotten dad was killed while working for the Fraternity - a centuries-old league of super sensory trained assassins pledged to carry out the unbreakable orders of fate. Their motto: Kill one, save a thousand.
Now it's Wes' turn to follow in his father's footsteps and release the caged wolf within him. Killing is in Wes' blood, and he trains under Fox and a motley-but-lethal crew that includes the Fraternity's enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman, BATMAN BEGINS). The neophyte is forcefully pummelled into developing lightning-quick reflexes and superhuman agility. No one said becoming an assassin would be easy.
The former slacker is reborn as the golden boy of the Fraternity and Wes starts to relish his new life, even exacting some best-served-cold revenge on tormentors past. But soon, the sweet taste of power sours when he realizes that the intentions of his deadly associates aren't as noble as first presented. As he wavers between newfound heroism and soul-killing vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one - neither cold-blooded father nor steaming-hot assassin - could ever teach him: He alone controls his destiny...