Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is offered the opportunity to seek revenge in the murder of his father, who was an assassin. Gibson is invited by his father's partner, Sloan (Morgan Freeman), to follow in his father's footsteps.Sloan's second-in-command (Angelina Jolie) mentors Gibson. Wesley Gibson follows the death orders issued by the Fates, weavers who read individuals' destinies in fabrics produced by mystical looms.

Cast:

• James McAvoy as Wesley Gibson: A 25-year-old employee who works in a cubicle. He has a disloyal girlfriend and a boss who bullies him. McAvoy was cast in the lead role in October 2006. McAvoy, who had screen-tested for the role early in 2006, was initially rejected due to the studio seeking an actor that had conventional Hollywood leading-man looks and physique. The actor was later recalled, being considered the "runt of the litter" of those who tested. According to McAvoy, "They [ultimately] wanted someone geeky." The Scottish actor, who will portray an American in the film, began training in February 2007 for the film's action scenes. 

• Morgan Freeman as Sloan: The partner of Wesley Gibson's deceased father. 

• Angelina Jolie as The Fox: Sloan's second-in-command. Jolie was cast in March 2007 after screenwriter Dean Georgaris rewrote the screenplay to create a role for her.

• Common as The Gunsmith: A professional gunman who trains others to use weapons.

• Konstantin Khabensky in an unnamed role. Khabensky, who starred in Bekmambetov's Night Watch (2004), was cast so the director would have a familiar face around Wanted.

• Terence Stamp in an unnamed role.

• David O'Hara as Mr. X

• Chris Pratt as Barry. 

• Kristen Hager in a supporting role.

• Thomas Kretschmann in an unnamed role.

Production:
In 2004, producer Marc Platt set up the film adaptation of the comic book miniseries Wanted by Mark Millar. In December 2005, director Timur Bekmambetov was attached to helm the project, with the script being written by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt.

Director Timur Bekmambetov said that the film would keep the same characters from the miniseries, though the director would take liberty in adapting the comic book's world. In July 2006, screenwriter Chris Morgan was hired to revise the third act of the Wanted script written by Haas and Brandt. The script was also rewritten by screenwriter Dean Georgaris to include the role of The Fox for actress Angelina Jolie. Haas and Brandt returned to even out the voice of Wesley Gibson, which they had established in their first draft.

Comic book author Mark Millar described the first half of the film as being close to the graphic novel. Millar also said that the film's ending was similar, though it was relocated elsewhere from the setting in the graphic novel. The superhero costumes in the graphic novel were also removed, with the exception of the leather attire worn by Wesley Gibson and The Fox. The story arc of the Fates issuing death orders in line with the novel's original theme of predestination was a new element to the film, an addition to which Millar was amicable.

Wanted will include free running and parkour in addition to car chases and gunfights. Wanted creator Mark Millar saw previsualized footage for the film and said the footage had raised his expectations for the film adaptation. The film will be the first to use the Red One digital camera, a new tool that has gained interest among cinematographers.

Location plate shooting took place in Chicago in April. Several chase scenes, including one with a low flying helicopter, were shot in Chicago on May 17 and 18 on Wacker Drive along the Chicago River, between Columbus Drive and LaSalle Street. Production moved to the Czech Republic later in May, scheduled for 12 weeks of shooting. For the film, production designer John Myhre constructed a large textile factory in Prague as part of an industrial world, the setting of a mythological environment in which looms create fabrics interwoven with the destinies of people, interpreted by weavers to issue orders for specific individuals' deaths to preserve the balance of the world. Afterward, filming will move to Budapest, then return to Chicago in August.

Sequel:
Director Timur Bekmambetov is planning a sequel to Wanted with the studio, though creator Mark Millar has denied that he will write a sequel to the comic book.

GOOD LINKS TO VISIT:

• Theatrical trailer
• Wikipedia Article