Charlize Theron Plays Fast & Furiosa With Her Action Star Potential
Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 8:01AM Daniel here. If your Charlize senses have been tingling lately then it’s fair to assume your road rage has set in: Variety reports that Universal is circling Imperator Furiosa herself to star as the lead villain in Fast 8, the latest model in their rubber-burning line of Fast & Furious flicks.
Gallons of credit go to this high-octane franchise for encouraging onscreen diversity and staging sky-is-the-limit set pieces, sure, but just because Charlize Theron can drive, it doesn’t mean she needs to take your wheel.
The main attractions in a Fast & Furious are smash ‘em up automotive melees with basic visuals broken up by character-light screeds on the true meaning of family; you’ll find none of Mad Max: Fury Road’s kinetic wizardry or redemptive arcs. Pitting their rogue gallery of villains against Charlize Theron is like straight-up reaching for the wrong Ben & Jerry’s pint. Jason Statham or Luke Evans’ unhinged, kitchen sink nutsos are more Everything But The… whereas her slow burn Coffee Coffee BuzzBuzzBuzz charisma sneaks up on you before you realize your heart’s about to explode.
Surely we can find a better action franchise for our feminist warrior to throttle into high gear. And, yes, options are aplenty.
• ALIENS. The logical place to start is unfortunately a moot point. The Aliens series already had their chance for another fearless Ripley type in Ridley Scott’s underrated franchise refraction Prometheus, where you’ll remember (or not) that she was relegated to playing comatose corporate ethics incarnate, Meredith Vickers.
• BOND. Although her co-star Idris Elba is everyone’s favorite hypothetical James Bond, it’s a safe bet that she could outsmug Craig, outdrink Connery, and outlast Lazenby.
• MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE. Let’s relieve Tom Cruise of jet-hugging duty and let Agent Charlize hunt down snipers at the opera in Mission: Impossible.
At the very least, she’s a shoo-in for that rumored all X-chromosome Ocean’s Eleven. Which action franchise should Charlize Theron anchor instead of Fast 8?
Reader Comments (18)
Glad I wasn't the only one who thought she should have led Prometheus.
She should honestly start her own franchise (I mean, let's be real, she kind of did with Snow White and the Huntsman. I REFUSE to believe anyone saw that movie for any reason other than Charlize and the effects).
Prometheus was such a missed opportunity. The second half seemed like a total way to shift the focus from Noomi's character to Charlize's. Her corporate stooge felt more akin with the original Ripley in Alien.
I agree with Rahul-lets launch a NEW franchise, rather than a retread.
There are worse franchises than this one for here to join. The last installment was a billion dollar earner and certified fresh at RT. At least she's not joining pirates of the Caribbean!!!
Also I am looking forward to the inevitable fight between her and Michelle Rodriguez
Charlize is amazing in Prometheus. Putting her in another F&F would be a horrible fit. For one thing, Furiosa is not a villain, so it makes no sense. Never mind that this auto-masturbatory franchise is so beneath her.
No, don't do it Charlize! You're better than this. I feel like Hollywood is totally taking the wrong lessons from Mad Max's success. :(
No it is not,she has her own spy thriller and another one being re written for a woman,so Hollywood did take notice,maybe her YA character could turn upin ff8 and really bring the crazy.
Nah, I'm good with her playing the baddie in a F&F movie. Sounds like a lot of fun to me.
Though I'm unabashedly fond of the F&F movies in all their ridiculousness, I rather see her in a new flick (or franchise), preferably something with biting humor and some other females who kick-ass. Like a rogue, all-female Navy Seal team who take down bad, misogynist regimes. I'm a big fan of ensemble action and capers, so team her with Jolie, Rodriguez, Liu, Uma, Yeoh, Blunt, Viola (for the brains), Scarlett, Saldana, Zhang, and throw in some Mirren and Sigourney. An Oceans 11 with more action and higher stakes? There's a movie I'd like to see--can you imagine?
I'd watch Charlize in anything, which means I'll have to finally see one of these damn movies.
Welcome to the team, Daniel!
I would consider a Charlize turn in a Fast & Furious sequel with "Vin Diesel" as a major downgrade for a Best Actress winner.
I'm actually incredibly excited for her role in this.
If Snow White and the Huntsman proved anything, she can camp it up if needed. Much like Kurt Russell's turn in Furious 7, having a big movie star with charisma can elevate the franchise, rather than take it over.
If there is one area where the Fast & Furious franchise has not excelled (I'm a big fan as it knows what it is and does it exceedingly well), it is in crafting a truly great villain (unless we count the Rock in Fast Five). I'm excited to see where this goes and I hope Charlize has terrific fun with the role.
Since she has already signed with F&F all I can do is hope they make her an intelligent baddie along the lines of Alan Rickman in Die Hard.
But let's turn away from Aliens/ Prometheus to the Harry Potter Universe. I think she could be very effective in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. As a good witch - perhaps a professor from the North American Academy or Ministry. She could be delightful casting spells.
I'd love to see her battling Uma in a sword fight in a Kill Bill sequel.
^ @Cris I was JUST thinking that I'd love to see Charlize leading a Tarantino film!
She was originally cast as lead in Prometheus but had to turn down due to schedule conflict with Mad Max. When Mad Max got delayed, she came back and accepted the supporting role. Too bad, she would have made the movie much better with her strong representation unlike Noomi's whiny Shaw.
Nic - That is so true re: Pirates but now you've put the image in my head of Charlize feeding a cracker to a parrot on her shoulder and I don't think it'll ever leave.
Chris - Thank you! Excited to be here!
Matt11 - Didn't know that. Story continuity-wise, I'm bummed she's not coming back for Alien: Covenant but glad that if she had to pass the disembodied head of Michael Fassbender to someone, it's Katherine Waterston and Danny McBride.
Charlize as Jane Bond YES- she looks great in an out of clothes and we know she can kick ass.