Who Is Salt?

“In essence it’s someone who is working for the CIA,” says Jolie, “who is married and who is accused of being KGB and from a programme where they raise children from an orphanage. And they raise them very, very hard as Americans to then infiltrate America.

“The question is whether she is that, or who she is at all.”

Producer Di Bonaventura also has his take on this newly-female embodiment of Salt.

“She's a character you never know,” he says. “People who think they know the real her may or may not. Those who think they can tell whether she's in a disguise also may or may not.

“You're supposed to be kept guessing. She tells you her agenda, but are you supposed to believe it?”

So far so Bourne.

By February 2009, the film was finally coming together. Jolie was onboard in mind, body and spirit. But who could handle playing against such a strong, scene-swallowing actress?

No problem for Liev Schreiber, who signed on to play against her as boss and fellow CIA Agent Winter.

Also in on the action was Chiwetel Ejiofor, who jumped onto the project as CIA counter-intelligence officer Peabody after enjoying success with American Gangster.

Next: Salt Shoots