This summer James McAvoy moves away from the dramatic roles of Atonement that have brought him so much acclaim to take on the character of Wesley Gibson in Wanted.Wesley Gibson. 25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) 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.Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie).After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad’s death by unlocking his dormant powers.
As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself.
With wickedly brilliant tutors including the Fraternity’s enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman) Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted.
But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.
The action movie is not a genre of film that we associate with the young action, who was last seen on the big screen in the war and romance epic Atonement.
McAvoy, who had screen-tested for the role early in 2006, was initially rejected due to the studio seeking an actor that had conventional Hollywood leading-man looks and physique.
But the Scottish actor was recalled, and is perhaps an unusual choice for this type of role. However it just adds another string to the bow of this very talented actor that has caught the attention of Hollywood.
Wanted is released 27th June.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw