Release Date: July 23, 2010

It?s been demonstrated that violence and sex can be closely related, and nowhere is that marriage of ideas more evident than in the transformation of Angelina Jolie into one of this decade?s hottest action stars. For proof of her chops, see the Tomb Raider movies, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Wanted.

And now, she?s even taking roles away from Tom Cruise. Originally written with a male lead in mind, Salt is the story of a CIA operative who is accused of being a Russian double agent intent on assassinating the president and must evade capture long enough to prove her innocence. The role was rewritten for Jolie, but being that she?s a bona fide action star now, there was little that needed to be changed specifically for her; it still looks to be one explosive thrill ride.

Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games, Catch a Fire) is attached to direct, and he?s worked with Jolie before on The Bone Collector. Plus, she?s being backed by a couple of strong supporting roles in Liev Schreiber and Chiwetel Ejiofor, so this has the potential to be a fun romp.