Comic Con @ Home – Charlize Theron on action stardom + Old Guard Sequel

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

One of the coolest things to happen ever since MAD MAX: FURY ROAD hit the screens five years ago is that Charlize Theron has emerged as a legit action star. With THE OLD GUARD breaking Netflix records, it seemed like a given that she would pop by Comic-Con @ Home to discuss her evolution as an action star.

While there was no talk of any OLD GUARD sequels on the panel, Deadline reported earlier today that sequel talks are indeed underway, although a follow-up may take some time as everyone involved, from Theron to director Gina Prince-Bylthewood, have jam-packed schedules. It’s also noted that Theron, typically, doesn’t do action-heavy movies back to back, noting she took a break between ATOMIC BLONDE and THE OLD GUARD to do BOMBSHELL, while an ATOMIC BLONDE sequel, with Netflix, is also said to be on the way – so it all depends on scheduling.

But on to the panel. Theron, who seemed very game to discuss her evolution, spent a lot of time talking about her first attempt at action stardom, AEON FLUX, which was poorly received, something which she said cost her other opportunities in the genre. 

Here are some highlights of the panel, which you can watch in its entirety below.

• Raised by a mother who loved Chuck Norris and Charles Bronson, while her dad was a MAD MAX fan.
• Found her trajectory as an action star only changed once MAD MAX: FURY ROAD came along.
• Reflected on THE ITALIAN JOB, which she said was a good experience, but was also offended that she automatically had to do six more weeks of car training than the guys, because it was assumed that as a woman it would take her longer to master the driving.
• Remembers Mark Wahlberg pulling over to throw up after doing too many 360s.
• Especially proud of the warehouse scene where she pulled off reverse 360’s/ 180's on her own.
• Cites ATOMIC BLONDE as the first time she realized the importance of editing and choreography. Speaks very highly of director David Leitch, who she says she sought out and hired herself, and Sam Hargreaves, who she noted has become an in-demand action director himself after EXTRACTION.
• Appreciated that in ATOMIC BLONDE she was able to fight like a woman, meaning she could use her body in different smarter ways. 
• Says FURY ROAD was heavier in terms of editing but was done so brilliantly it set the bar much higher and now, action movies that are poorly edited can’t succeed as audiences can tell what’s good and what’s not. 
• Says she’ll never recover from FURY ROAD and is tremendously proud of the film.
• Says reading it reminded her of the moment that made her love action films – when she first saw Sigourney Weaver as Ripley. 
• Mentions that she did ATOMIC BLONDE at forty and always feels pressured to get each film right as she feels each could be her last opportunity in the genre. 
• Namechecked PROMETHEUS as being the kind of movie she has a specific taste for.

And there you have it. Overall, a terrific panel and Theron has certainly earned her credentials in the genre. It’s made me want to go back and give AEON FLUX another go, and I still wish she was coming back as FURIOSA in the next MAD MAX movie. Make it happen George Miller! 

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