I guess they were looking for someone a little more ballsy. In an interview with the BBC, Angelina Jolie confirmed the longstanding rumor that she’s taken Tom Cruise’s place in the upcoming spy thriller Edwin A. Salt. (Jolie plays the title character, so unless they decide to go with the highly unmarketable “Edwina” it’s safe to assume a title change is in the offing.) Angelina was distinctly laconic about the announcement:

I’m working on a film called Salt, and it’s with Phillip Noyce [as director]. And that’s it.”

Generally, Angelina doesn’t do much for me one way or the other (competent but not great actor, too much ink, not enough humor). Still, this is one more part Cruise won’t be playing after Valkyrie goes all Heaven’s Gate-shaped following its December 26 release, and Angelina deserves a salute for putting another nail in the coffin that holds the career of Tom Cruise. Few things are as gratifying as a news item that lets one savor the sweet, sweet taste of Tom Cruise’s tears.