Angelina: Mighty Protection from Reporters "Excessive"

Angelina Jolie didn't mean to wield such an iron fist when it came to A Mighty Heart interviews. Her lawyer did, though.

It was the fault of "a boneheaded, overzealous lawyer," Jolie's attorney, Robert Offer, told the New York Times Thursday, referring to his role in the agreement journalists were asked to sign before the premiere of the actress' latest film that stated they were not allowed to ask Jolie anything about her "personal relationships."

Meaning, lay off the questions about Brad and the brood.

Jolie, not one for red carpet announcements (see 2007 Golden Globes), but who recently gave lengthy interviews to Esquire and Marie Claire (family and relationship talk, included), said during an appearance on The Daily Show yesterday that she too found the precise do's and dont's to be a little much.

"I think people are always looking for, unfortunately, for the most negative story," she told Jon Stewart. "But it was not mandatory and—again, I didn't put it out there. It was from my representatives trying to be protective of me, but it was excessive and I wouldn't have put it out there."

Paramount Vantage, the studio behind A Mighty Heart, said that most media outlets, including USA Today and the Associated Press, opted not to sign.

Fox News' Roger Friedman said that his network, which first reported the existence of the red carpet clause-and-effect on Thursday, and all Fox News affiliates were banned at Jolie's request from covering the premiere—which was also a benefit for the nonprofit Reporters Without Borders—Wednesday night at New York's Ziegfeld Theater.

A Paramount spokeswoman denied that claim, however, calling the conservative-minded outlet's original omission from the press list "an honest mistake."

The 32-year-old actress (currently the 14th most powerful celebrity out there based on earnings and visibility, according to Forbes) never directly addressed Stuart's question about the Fox News ban, though.  

"This was my creating something to protect her from the press’ talking about personal matters, a document that would limit discussion to the film," Offer said. "But it was drafted overly broadly. It was well intended, but I understand how it was received."

Before they were allowed to do their thing, journalists in attendance Wednesday were presented with what Jolie called a "memo," which required that they leave Jolie's personal life alone and focus on the film.

"In the event, Interviewer does ask Ms. Jolie any questions regarding her personal relationships, Ms. Jolie will have the right to immediately terminate the interview and leave," the agreement stated. "The interview may only be used to promote the Picture. In no event may Interviewer or Media Outlet be entitled to run all or any portion of the interview in connection with any other story."

Moreover, "the interview will not be used in a manner that is disparaging, demeaning or derogatory to Miss Jolie."

Offer told the Times that reporters covering the premiere of Mr. & Mrs. Smith—Brangelina's first project together, which opened in the midst of tabloid madness about their relationship and the demise of Brad Pitt's marriage to Jennifer Aniston—were asked to sign a similar agreement, and that most of them did.

Jolie "is an incredibly candid, honest person, who is undeterred herself in answering questions," Jolie's manager, Geyer Kosinski, told the Times, adding that the memo—or "mission statement," as Jerry Maguire would call it—was more "guide" than rule book.

"Our collective intention was to protect her," he said.

Questions about Jolie's relationship with estranged dad Jon Voight were probably off-limits, as well, even in light of the actress' somewhat conciliatory remarks made that week to Britain's Evening Standard.

"I am hoping my relationship with my father is more private in the future," said Jolie, who hasn't spoken with Voight since at least 2002 when he said in a TV interview that he hoped his daughter would get help for her "serious mental problems."

"At the end of the day, we both wish the best for each other and we'll try to start communicating in some way," she continued.

After Jolie had cleared the air on The Daily Show, Stewart, at least, got to sneak in a few behind-the-scenes questions, including one about just how many feet she might want to hear the pitter-patter of one day.

"It fluctuates between seven and 13 or 14," the current mother of four said. (That's between 14 and 28 feet!)

To which Stewart replied, "I admire that, because two is kicking my ass."

"Four is kind of kicking our ass, too," Jolie said, "but we feel like, damn it, we're up to the challenge."

A Mighty Heart, produced by Pitt, in which Jolie plays Mariane Pearl, the widow of American journalist Daniel Pearl, who was abducted and murdered by terrorists while working in Pakistan, opens in U.S. theaters June 22. After the press tour is over, Jolie heads back to Prague to finish shooting the action thriller Wanted.

And, proving that she's a friend to the media, paparazzi and all, Jolie reportedly gave a cycling shutterbug a lift this week when one of his bike tires sprung a leak.

Splash News and Pictures photographer James Ambler told his outfit's Website that he was pedaling after Jolie's chauffeured ride in New York when he ran over a nail and punctured a tire. To his surprise, Jolie asked her driver to stop and asked the British-born Ambler if he wanted a ride.

"I happily accepted," said Ambler, who had been trailing for Jolie for a few days. Once inside, Jolie—who had already nicknamed him Lance, he said, because of his penchant for bicycling, "was really curious about the other photographers and what we all do...She was just really sound, really down to earth and really lovely."

 "No, it doesn't happen on a regular basis, not with A-list celebrities like Angelina," Ambler said.