“When you work as a humanitarian, you are conscious that politics have to be considered,” she told Vanity Fair in a cover story. “Because if you really want to make an extreme change, then you have a responsibility,” she added, before saying, “But I honestly don’t know in what role I would be more useful—I am conscious of what I do for a living, and that (could) make it less possible.”

Asked directly if she could pursue a life in politics, diplomacy or public service, she replied, “I am open.” She gave no more details. Since 2012 Jolie has traveled on more than 40 missions around the world as a special envoy for the United Nations Refugee Agency. Last year Jolie was awarded an honorary Oscar for her humanitarian work.

Last month the star of such Hollywood films as “Tomb Raider” and “Maleficent” was made an honorary dame for her work combatting sexual violence. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II presented the award at London’s Buckingham Palace. Jolie’s directorial debut feature, 2011’s Golden Globe-nominated “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” was set against the background of the early 1990s Bosnian war.

Her upcoming film, “Unbroken,” is about Olympian and World War II POW survivor Louis Zamperini. It will be released on December 25 in the United States. Jolie will next direct a “sweeping epic” film about veteran Kenyan conservationist Richard Leakey’s fight with ivory poachers, the studio behind the movie announced in September.