Nowadays a sequel is assumed until we’re told otherwise. Case and point: Salt, a totally above-average thriller that most people saw, thought was decent and immediately forgot. Sure, it did well at the box office, almost $300 million in returns against a $110 million budget pre-advertising, but in the age of expansive European grosses, that’s really not overly high for an action flick. Still, director Phillip Noyce is distancing himself from a sequel before Sony has even admitted they’re down for another round.

Speaking to our friends over at Moviehole, Noyce commented, “If there ever is a sequel, better its directed by someone with a completely fresh take on what I believe could be a totally entertaining and complex series of stories.” And why not? It seems fitting to shift gears and go in a new direction considering Tom Cruise was originally tapped for the main role and then it was rewritten for Angelina Jolie. Even years later, that’s staggering to think about. Tom’s not available anymore? Let’s go with the next logical choice: a female.

Phillip Noyce is currently working with Enchanted writer Bill Kelly on a romantic drama called Timeless. I have no more information, other than a good assumption that whatever it turns into will be more interesting than Salt 2.