Jolie Makes Guns Sexy

The Advertising Standards Authority has ruled that certain posters promoting Wanted, a fast-paced action movie starring Angelina Jolie, glorifies firearms and are unsuitable for children.

According to BBC News, the ASA held that the incorporation of an appealing actress, in addition to aspirational text and the depiction of firearms, "could glamorize violence."

One poster showed Jolie holding up a gun, displaying its technical intricacy, while costar James McAvoy wielded two weapons, both pointed at viewers of the advertisement. Another poster had Jolie sprawled across a car hood with a gun in her hand, under the banner, "Six weeks ago I was just like you... and then I met her... and my world was changed forever."

According to BBC News, the ASA received 17 complaints from people who had viewed the posters, seven of which also thought that the images were unsuitable for children.

In response to the complaints, Universal Pictures immunized the stars from any blame, claiming that they were placed in stylized poses and were unaware of the way in which the promotional material would be handled.

Universal also argued that the movie, which is based on a comic book, was simply using its advertisements to demonstrate how it had stayed true to its origins.

Regardless, the posters have been pulled from circulation, even though the ASA conceded in its ruling that "most viewers would understand the posters reflected the content of an action film."