Charlize Theron is going from shaved-headed, post-apocalyptic warrior in Mad Max: Fury Road; to a high-octane, leather-clad villain in The Fate of the Furious; to a Cold War-era killer in her latest effort, Atomic Blonde. This adaptation of the graphic novel "The Coldest City", helmed by stunt choreographer-turned-director David Leitch (John Wick), sees Theron as "Lorraine Broughton, a top-level spy for MI6, who is dispatched to Berlin to take down a ruthless espionage ring that has just killed an undercover agent for reasons unknown."
The first images of Theron in action--and alongside co-star James McAvoy--have appeared today, showing off an early look at the 80s-era spy thriller. Here's why Theron purchased the rights to the story a few years back:
“I hadn’t seen another character like her out there,” Theron says. “She doesn’t apologize for anything. We made her strong and feisty. She’s cheeky. These were
all things I responded to.”
Neither Leitch nor Theron are strangers to action movies, though the star did have to go through some tough training to play the part:
“It’s refreshing to find an actor who can do these long, long takes, memorize the choreography, maintain the character, and deliver a performance,” Leitch says. “She’s extraordinary.”
Theron's take on the training:
“Let’s be honest, I got my ass handed to me every day. I cracked through two of my teeth in the back of my mouth from clenching so much that I had to have massive dental surgery right before we left for Budapest to shoot the film.”
Sounds intense! Also starring John Goodman, Toby Jones, Sofia Boutella and Eddie Marsan, Atomic Blonde will debut at SXSW this weekend before opening in theaters on July 28th.
Check out the first images from Atomic Blonde below (via EW) as well as a pair of teaser trailers:
Here’s the official synopsis for Atomic Blonde:
Oscar® winner Charlize Theron explodes into summer in Atomic Blonde, a breakneck action-thriller that follows MI6’s most lethal assassin through a ticking time bomb of a city simmering with revolution and double-crossing hives of traitors.
The crown jewel of Her Majesty’s Secret Intelligence Service, Agent Lorraine Broughton (Theron) is equal parts spycraft, sensuality and savagery, willing to deploy any of her skills to stay alive on her impossible mission. Sent alone into Berlin to deliver a priceless dossier out of the destabilized city, she partners with embedded station chief David Percival (James McAvoy) to navigate her way through the deadliest game of spies.
A blistering blend of sleek action, gritty sexuality and dazzling style, Atomic Blonde is directed by David Leitch (John Wick, upcoming Deadpool 2). Also starring John Goodman, Til Schweiger, Eddie Marsan, Sofia Boutella and Toby Jones, the film is based on the Oni Press graphic novel “The Coldest City,” by Antony Johnston & illustrator Sam Hart. Kurt Johnstad (300) wrote the screenplay.
