Charlize Theron Reveals One Thing That ‘Frustrates’ Her With How Hollywood Handles Blockbusters

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In recent times, the movie industry has taken significant steps forward, yet some deeply ingrained biases persist, making them hard to eradicate. As Charlize Theron aptly noted, the evaluation of female-led action films contrasts starkly with those centered on male protagonists. Despite her impressive career in this genre, she continues to express disappointment over this disparity.

Currently streaming on Netflix under your subscription is “The Old Guard 2,” starring Charlize Theron alongside fellow action icon Uma Thurman. In a recent interview with The New York Times, both actors discussed various topics, and when questioned about the gender imbalance in the action genre, Theron openly expressed her views. When asked if it’s more challenging to produce an action film with a female lead, Theron acknowledged the issue.

Indeed, it’s well-known that it’s more challenging for action films led by women to secure funding compared to those with male leads. What consistently bothers me is the unfair advantage men seem to have. When a film featuring men doesn’t perform exceptionally well, they often get another chance. However, when women attempt similar projects and the result isn’t perfect, they may not be given a second opportunity.

Charlize Theron isn’t just noting a disparity she’s observed, but one she’s personally felt. In 2005, her lead role in Æon Flux failed critically, and it took years before another action movie gave her the leading role again. Though she had supporting roles opposite male leads in films like Hancock and Mad Max: Fury Road, it wasn’t until Atomic Blonde in 2017 that she got to take center stage as an action heroine. Interestingly, while Atomic Blonde made more money at the box office than the original John Wick, the latter has spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs, while the former has only had one follow-up stuck in development for nearly a decade.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: Crafting a successful film is no easy feat, and the stakes are high. Even an A-lister like Charlize Theron knows that one flop can set you back to the drawing board. When she embarked on making The Old Guard 2, she was keenly aware of this risk, determined not to let a single misstep jeopardize her impressive cinematic journey thus far.

We were fully cognizant that the spotlight was upon us. It’s a gamble that film studios typically avoid, yet they often make this move with an actor who has a series of action films under his belt, despite their lackluster performance at the box office.

One method to alleviate Charlize Theron’s movie-related stress is by continuing her workload, as she has several significant projects lined up. She will portray Circe in Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming grand adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, and she has also reunited with Netflix for the upcoming action film Apex. This movie, directed by Baltasar Kormákur, features Theron as an extreme sports enthusiast who encounters danger while rock climbing. The film co-stars Taron Egerton and Eric Bana, and it was filmed in Australia earlier this year.

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2025-07-08 04:08