A television advert for the DVD release of Angelina Jolie’s film Wanted has been banned for “glorifying” gun use. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the commercial gave the impression that “using guns was sexy and glamorous”. Makers Universal Pictures have been told the advert cannot be shown again in its current form, and is unsuitable to be seen by older children.
One complaint from a member of the public was received by the ASA.

The complainant said the promotion glamorised guns and claimed it was unsuitable to be shown early on a Saturday morning when children were likely to be watching.

The film follows the initiation of an office drudge Wesley Gibson (played by James McAvoy) into a mythical group of super-powered assassins. The ad for the DVD release shows McAvoy and co-star Jolie wielding pistols, a shotgun, and generally spraying scene after scene with bullets.

Clearcast, the company which approves TV adverts for broadcasts, said they believed viewers would be able to distinguish between weapons in a fantasy setting and the reality of urban gun crime.
In September, posters advertising the film were banned by the ASA, which ruled its images and text glamorised the use of guns.
Wanted was released in UK cinemas last June and entered the box office chart at number two
with takings of more than £3m.