Jolie Posters 'Glamorised Guns'

Two posters for an Angelina Jolie film have been criticised by advertising watchdogs for making guns attractive. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled the Wanted posters were not suitable to be seen by children. It added that the use of a glamorous actress, gun images and aspirational text "could glamorise violence". But seven people who complained the posters were inappropriate at a time of concern about gun crime did not have that particular view upheld by the ASA. Stylised poses The ASA received 17 complaints in all, with seven of them also concerned about the posters being unsuitable for children. The first poster depicted Jolie holding a gun pointed upwards, with co-star James McAvoy holding a weapon in each hand pointed at the viewer. In the second, Jolie was draped on a car bonnet and holding a gun and some text read: "Six weeks ago I was just like you... and then I met her... and my world was changed forever." The film's makers Universal Pictures said that the stars were in stylised poses and had not been made aware of any concerns about the promotional material. They added that the film was based on a comic book and the style reflected its roots. The ASA said in its ruling that "we acknowledged most viewers would understand the posters reflected the content of an action film". They were also told by Universal Pictures that the posters were no longer in circulation and they had no plans for their future use. Wanted was released in the UK in June and entered the box office chart at number two with takings of more than £3m.