Charlize Theron Turned Down Her Only Offer to Join the MCU
Charlize Theron is one of Hollywood’s most talented and in-demand actresses. From Oscar-nominated dramas to quirky comedies and fast-paced action flicks, Theron has received praise and critical acclaim for nearly every role. With her recent foray into the comic book genre, in Netflix’s The Old Guard, some fans are wondering why she’s never been in any of the more recent Marvel movies. The answer, according to Theron, is simple: They’ve never asked!
Who is Charlize Theron?
Theron was born and raised in South Africa. At the age of 16, she won a modeling contest and moved with her mother to Milan, Italy. Theron spent a year modeling throughout Europe before moving to the United States and settling in New York City. There, she attended ballet school, until a knee injury forced her to quit. Discouraged and depressed, her mother bought her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, so she could try her hand at acting instead.
Her big break came in 1997’s The Devil’s Advocate, starring alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. More roles in box office hits soon followed, including Cider House Rules in 1999, Reindeer Games in 2000, and The Italian Job in 2003. In 2004, Theron won her first Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her highly acclaimed portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. The role also earned her a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award. She received another Academy Award nomination in 2005 for her performance in North Country.
More recently, Theron has proven herself a bonafide action star in films including Snow White and the Huntsman, Æon Flux, Prometheus, Mad Max: Fury Road,and The Fate of the Furious. Her latest movie, The Old Guard, was released on Netflix on July 10, where it was the most-streamed movie during its debut weekend, according to Uproxx.
Why Hasn’t Theron Been in any Marvel Movies?
Now that Theron has added many successful action movies to her impressive resume, there have been questions about why she’s never worked with a powerhouse like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Theron addressed this in a recent interview on Variety’s Big Ticket podcast, saying they’ve never offered her a role:
“I swear to God. I’ve never gotten anything. No, I’m not lying to you. But that’s OK. You know what? I am paving my own way. I’m creating my own opportunities. So it’s alright,” as Cinema Blend reports.
Theron Turned Down ‘X-Men’ 20 Years Ago
When X-Men was released in 2000, it marked the beginning of a blockbuster franchise, with 13 movies released over the past 20 years.
When executives were casting the film, many big-name celebrities expressed interest, including Michael Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Mariah Carey. Many actors also passed on the movie, like Russell Crowe and Viggo Mortensen, who producers wanted to play Wolverine. For the part of Jean Grey, one of the most well-known characters in the franchise, they had their eye on Theron. Screenwriter David Hayter and director Bryan Singer flew to Vancouver to offer her the role, but she turned it down, reports Screenrant. The part ultimately went to Famke Janssen, who went on to reprise the role in four subsequent X-Men sequels.
Until recently, the X-Men movies haven’t been connected with the MCU. But Disney’s 2019 merger with 21st Century Fox means that the franchise is now firmly back in the hands of Marvel Studios, according to Vox. So when Theron said she’s never been offered a part by MCU, it’s likely that she meant their more recent films, which include the Iron Man, Captain America, Avengers, and Thor franchises.
However, there are rumors that Theron is being considered for a part in an upcoming Spider-Man movie, possibly focusing on the character Madame Web. So, maybe there’s hope for her to join the MCU after all!
