In the year 2008, a less recognized comic book action film starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, and Morgan Freeman made its way onto Netflix for streaming. At that time, Marvel Studios and DC Studios were still developing their shared franchises, making this movie stand out as it wasn’t part of either studio’s universe yet. The film was based on a six-issue comic miniseries by Mark Millar and J. G. Jones from 2003 to 2005. This live-action adaptation was action-packed, stylish, and full of energy, making it an excellent choice for those who haven’t seen it yet on Netflix.
Back in June 2008, I found myself immersed in the action-packed world of “Wanted,” where James McAvoy played the unassuming Wesley Allan Gibson, an ordinary office worker with an extraordinary destiny. Unbeknownst to me, I was actually a descendant with a calling as an assassin within a clandestine organization called the Fraternity. My journey took me alongside my mentor, Fox (played by Angelina Jolie), and the Fraternity’s leader, Mr. Sloan (Morgan Freeman). Together, we waged war against Cross (Thomas Kretschmann), a renegade assassin who betrayed our society. While Universal Pictures and director Timur Bekmambetov made several alterations to Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.’s 2003 comic miniseries, which leaned more heavily on supernatural elements, the film still managed to captivate audiences.
The movie “Wanted” generated a worldwide box office revenue of $342.5 million on a production budget of just $75 million, with generally favorable reviews from both viewers and critics, boasting a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This action-packed film initially appeared on Netflix in May 2018, making its debut ten years after its initial release. Since then, it has been taken off and re-added to the platform on four separate occasions. With its latest return to streaming, a new wave of viewers may have the opportunity to discover “Wanted,” potentially sparking interest in comic book movies beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe.
Watching “Wanted” again on Netflix may spark interest in other comic-based movies not tied to the traditional Marvel or DC universes, such as “Kick-Ass” (2010), “Sin City” (2005), “The Crow” (1994), and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014). This diverse selection could rekindle enthusiasm for the MCU and DCU, offering a fresh perspective. It’s worth noting that “Wanted” played a significant role in launching James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie’s careers within the superhero genre, as they later took on roles in Marvel productions. Therefore, it holds an important position in comic book movie history.
In the years between 2011’s “X-Men: First Class” and 2019’s “Dark Phoenix”, James McAvoy portrayed a younger Professor X, while Angelina Jolie appeared as Thena in 2021’s “Eternals”. The film “Wanted” showcased the remarkable talent of these stars, along with Kretschmann and Chris Pratt, who played Baron Von Strucker and Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy. Now that it’s streaming on Netflix, you can reflect on “Wanted” and marvel at how much their acting skills have progressed since then.
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2025-07-16 15:40