After Action-Packed Stunts in ‘The Old Guard 2,’ Charlize Theron Admits There’s One Reason She Can’t Direct Yet

Published 07/06/2025, 10:14 PM EDT

Forget damsels in distress. Charlize Theron built her legacy playing the woman causing the distress, armed with a smirk and a perfectly timed punch. She has outrun explosions in Mad Max: Fury Road, delivered chilling transformations in Monster, made evil look impossibly chic in Snow White and the Huntsman, and returned as an immortal warrior in The Old Guard 2. But beneath all that blockbuster bravado sits a quieter ambition: swapping harnesses for storyboards. The reason she is holding back might just make you drop your popcorn

While Theron can face explosions and freefalls with ease, her next potential role requires a different kind of stamina and might just be the one script she cannot flip yet.

Charlize Theron conquers stunts but holds back on one big move

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Charlize Theron spent weeks prepping for a helicopter stunt in The Old Guard 2, dangling midair like an action hero’s fever dream. “The helicopter, hands down,” she told Variety, still sounding slightly awed. But even after conquering the franchise’s most daring sequence, she admitted one thing scares her more than stunts: directing. And the reason holding her back from the director’s chair?I have young children, and to direct is very all consuming,” she said with a grin.

The Old Guard 2 does not just raise the stakes; it launches into the stratosphere. Charlize Theron’s immortal Andy reunites with KiKi Layne and Henry Golding, while Uma Thurman joins as a villain named Discord. With rumors swirling about a cliffhanger ending, fans are already clutching their swords and bracing for what could be a high-octane third installment.

Uma Thurman Breaks Down Her Mysterious Role as Discord in 'The Old Guard' 2

As Theron masterfully juggles warriors, villains, and cliffhangers, her behind-the-scenes power play is proving to be as thrilling as any fight she stages on screen.

Charlize Theron proves her power behind the scenes

Charlize Theron may not be in the director’s chair yet, but she remains a force behind the scenes. As a producer on The Old Guard 2, she helped shape Netflix’s ambitious sequel while still delivering powerhouse performances in front of the camera. Few can juggle immortal warriors, high-octane stunts, and production chaos with such grit and glamour. Theron makes it look effortless, proving her blockbuster instincts are as sharp as her fight choreography.

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Her momentum shows no signs of slowing. Next, Charlize Theron will channel divine power as a goddess of sorcery in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. With a career spanning genre-defining roles, she continues to rewrite the rules of modern action stardom. One day she might trade her stunt harness for a director’s chair, but for now, she is too busy conquering screens and adding yet another epic chapter to her filmography.

‘The Odyssey’ Trailer From Christopher Nolan Leaks - Here’s What We Saw

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What are your thoughts on Charlize Theron’s future behind the camera? Should she make the jump to directing sooner? Let us know in the comments below.

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Shraddha

667 articles

Shraddha is a content chameleon with 3 years of experience, expertly juggling entertainment and non-entertainment writing, from scriptwriting to reporting. Having a portfolio of over 2,000 articles, she’s covered everything from Hollywood’s glitzy drama to the latest pop culture trends. With a knack for telling stories that keep readers hooked, Shraddha thrives on dissecting celebrity scandals and cultural moments.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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