As a film enthusiast and admirer of the incredible talent that is Charlize Theron, I must say, the woman never ceases to amaze me! At 25 years old, she was already a force to be reckoned with, but at 40, she took it to another level, proving that age is just a number when you’ve got the determination and physical prowess like Charlize.
2024 appears to be a subdued year for Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron, but come the following years, she’s all set to grace the silver screen with four new movie ventures. One of these projects is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2017 blockbuster spy thriller, “Atomic Blonde”, titled “Atomic Blonde 2“. This action-packed film is currently in development by Focus Features. Theron will not only reprise her role as the chilly MI6 Agent Lorraine Broughton, but also co-produce the movie through her Denver and Delilah production company.
As a fervent admirer of “Atomic Blonde,” I must confess that while some may argue the movie didn’t offer much new to the Cold War espionage subgenre story-wise, there’s no denying its electrifying fight scenes are a major highlight. Directed by former stunt performer David Leitch, Charlize Theron took on an astounding 90% of the film’s physically demanding stunts herself, including the iconic stairwell brawl that still resonates seven years after its release. Given Charlize Theron’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s toughest modern-day action stars, I thought it was high time we appreciate her death-defying stunts in “Atomic Blonde” a bit more closely.
What Is Atomic Blonde About?
1989, right smack in the heart of the Cold War’s final breaths, I found myself captivated by ‘Atomic Blonde’, an exhilarating action-thriller masterfully directed by none other than David Leitch – a man who used to double as action maestro Brad Pitt. This film is adapted from Antony Johnson’s graphic novel, ‘The Coldest City’. It’s a gripping tale that follows MI6’s top agent, Lorraine Broughton, on a mission to get her hands on The List – a document detailing the identities of every active spy in Berlin, Germany.
In the chase to expose Satchel as a duplicitous spy and find ‘The List’, Lorraine develops a romantic relationship with Delphine LaSalle (played by Sofia Boutella), a covert French agent. Together, they face numerous hostile Russian spies, such as Spyglass (Eddie Marsan), Yuri (Johannes Johannesson), and their superior, Aleksander Bremovych (Rolland Moller). Despite encountering opponents with impressive combat skills or firepower, Lorraine manages to neutralize them swiftly in each encounter. The action sequences in this Cold War film, skillfully executed by Charlize Theron, lend credibility to Lorraine’s brutal and intense fighting style, even when the plot becomes somewhat implausible.
How Charlize Theron Prepared to Perform Her Own Stunts in Atomic Blonde
Charlize Theron is no stranger to sacrificing her body to give great screen performances. In 2003, Theron famously played real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, a landmark, Oscar-winning performance in which the actress completely transformed her body to physically mirror Wuornous as authentically as possible. As a producer on Monster, Theron went above and beyond in the ownership of her performance, putting her body through the wringer for her art.
Theron took charge of producing Atomic Blonde, immersing herself deeply in the filmmaking process by performing as many stunts as she could to make her portrayal as genuine as possible. To truly understand the effort put forth by Theron during Atomic Blonde, director David Leitch has firsthand knowledge of extensive stunt work. In an interview with People in 2024, Leitch discussed Theron’s execution of nearly all her own stunts in Atomic Blonde, particularly the famous stairwell fight scene, stating that “apart from a few instances where we had [stunt coordinator] Monique Ganderton tumble down the stairs, that stairwell fight was essentially 99% Theron’s work.”
For those unfamiliar, the stairwell fight scene is a non-stop, exhilarating 10-minute battle without pause, expertly edited to seem uninterrupted. This sequence contains approximately 40 hidden edits, ensuring the action remains fluid, with Charlize Theron executing each meticulously planned move herself as Lorraine mercilessly takes down a horde of Russian thugs. At 40 years old, this physical feat is impressive; Theron’s ability to perform such action at that age showcases her exceptional fitness and dedication to her craft. As Leitch remarks about Theron’s skill:
“Charlize was impressively demonstrating her ability to perform a series of 10, 15, 20, and even 30 consecutive moves without stopping or restarting. It left us in awe, thinking ‘This is extraordinary! This is rare! We must capitalize on this talent.’ So, it’s really Charlize mastering the choreography and enduring those hits.”
As reported by Jezebel, Theron intensely prepared for her role by working out under the supervision of eight personal trainers who made her sick every day. During this process, she injured a rib and broke a tooth from excessive jaw clenching, which later needed surgery. Fans can learn more about Theron’s on-set injuries in the video linked below. It is worth noting that while preparing for Atomic Blonde, Theron also engaged in sparring sessions with Keanu Reeves, who plays John Wick in the action series created by David Leitch. Interestingly enough, Theron and Reeves have a history dating back to The Devil’s Advocate and Sweet November, and there is speculation that their collaboration might continue if an Atomic Blonde/John Wick crossover ever comes to fruition.
Will There Be an Atomic Blonde Sequel?
In 2017, the action film “Atomic Blonde” earned $100 million at the box office (as per Box Office Mojo), sparking anticipation for a sequel. By 2019, it was made official that David Leitch would direct the sequel on Netflix, with Charlize Theron set to reprise her role as Lorraine Broughton. A year later in 2020, it was announced that Theron will produce the film through her production company Denver and Delilah, along with original screenwriter Sam Hart. Since then, there have been no significant updates, but a possible collaboration with “John Wick” might be on the horizon.
Back in July 2017, spectators questioned the striking resemblances between the films “John Wick” and “Atomic Bomb“, proposing an intriguing concept for a joint movie. As reported by Screen Rant, Leitch found the idea appealing, expressing his thoughts as “That sounds like an exciting possibility.”
“I find it exciting when this question comes up! I believe it’s more about their era, not mine. If the opportunity arises, I’d be thrilled to participate. Perhaps we’ll encounter similar projects or even a unique concept where Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves could star. It would be intriguing to write a story that places them in the same action setting, allowing us to see them either team up or compete against each other.”
It’s intriguing to contemplate whether a sequel or crossover for the film Atomic Blonde will feature Theron performing as many daring stunts as she did in the first installment. Beyond Atomic Blonde 2, Theron has several upcoming action films on her slate, including The Old Guard 2, Two for the Money, and Apex, all of which are known for their physically demanding roles. Given her impressive track record, Charlize Theron undeniably stands out as one of the most convincing and compelling action stars in Hollywood today.
Atomic Blonde is available to stream for free on Tubi.
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2024-09-06 03:31