Watchdog Rules Against Film Posters

Two posters for an action film starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy could be seen to condone violence and are not suitable to be viewed by children, the advertising standards watchdog has ruled.

Seventeen people lodged complaints about the film posters for the film Wanted, on the grounds that they glorified and glamorised gun crime, the Advertising Standards Authority said.

Of those complainants, seven also objected on the grounds that the posters were unsuitable to be seen by children. Seven of the complainants further objected to the posters as offensive at a time of increasing public concern about gun crime but their complaint was not upheld by the ASA.

The first poster showed Ms Jolie in profile crouched with her elbow resting on her knee and holding a gun pointed upwards.

In the background, Mr McAvoy held a gun in each hand, pointing towards the reader.

The second poster featured several images of Ms Jolie, Mr McAvoy and one of actor Morgan Freeman. One showed Ms Jolie lying across the bonnet of a car on her back and holding a gun and another showed her firing a gun.

The poster was headlined "6 weeks ago I was just like you... and then I met her... and my world was changed forever".

The ASA noted that Universal Pictures Ltd said the advertisements were no longer appearing and that they had no plans for their future use.

The film was based on a comic book of the same name and the style of the poster reflected the film's roots, the company said. The poster featuring just Ms Jolie and Mr McAvoy used stylised poses, the company told the authority.

Universal Pictures also maintained that they always worked closely with media owners and relied on their knowledge of what was suitable. No media owners had expressed concern, the company said.

September 02, 2008