Charlize Theron has proven herself a powerhouse in action films, ranging from futuristic assassin roles to high-octane fight scenes, with her latest appearance in Netflix’s The Old Guard 2. Despite this sequel’s chart-topping success, fans and critics alike continue to call for the much-anticipated Charlize Theron Atomic Blonde sequel, which has yet to move beyond years of speculation. This stylish Cold War-era spy thriller remains one of Theron’s standout performances, underscoring why its follow-up is long overdue.
Atomic Blonde Introduces Theron as a Cold War Spy
In Atomic Blonde, Theron stars as Lorraine Broughton, a lethal MI6 operative skilled in combat and espionage during the tense closing days of the Berlin Wall. Tasked with recovering a microfilm that exposes undercover agents, Lorraine navigates a landscape of deception alongside a supporting cast including James McAvoy, John Goodman, and Sofia Boutella. The film draws inspiration from Antony Johnston’s graphic novel The Coldest City and involves key creative figures associated with the John Wick series, such as director David Leitch, cinematographer Jonathan Sela, editor Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir, and composer Tyler Bates.
Though not part of the John Wick franchise, Atomic Blonde shares its gritty, neon-lit aesthetic but offers a fresh narrative steeped in 1980s atmosphere. The film embraces the decade’s style and music, a trend notably popular in the late 2010s that reflect a renewed fascination akin to Stranger Things and contemporaneous releases like It: Chapter One. This nostalgic influence enhances the espionage story and gives the film a distinctive flair beyond its action sequences.
The Blend of Style and Intensity Defines Atomic Blonde’s Action
Atomic Blonde’s soundtrack features iconic 1980s tunes with creative twists, such as German-language covers of “Major Tom” and “99 Red Balloons,” which deepen the film’s immersion into its Berlin setting. These musical choices complement sequences like the use of George Michael’s “Father Figure,” heard both as an erotic dance scene and as a clever distraction during a fierce confrontation with police. Lorraine’s icy platinum hair evokes 1980s pop icon Debbie Harry, further emphasizing the film’s dedication to period details.
While 1980s nostalgia has somewhat waned, Atomic Blonde’s action remains a major draw. The original story’s 1989 setting offers a pivot point for a sequel to explore 1990s themes and visuals, dovetailing with a renewed cultural fascination with that era, as seen in recent projects like the Y2K-themed revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer. On screen, Theron’s portrayal of Lorraine delivers relentless, expertly choreographed fight scenes captured in impressive long takes, avoiding quick cuts and preserving the intensity that distinguishes the movie from the often disjointed action of The Old Guard 2.
Critics have noted the film’s complicated plot structure with time jumps and numerous twists, making it a challenging but layered experience. Since the film grossed $100 million against a $30 million budget, unlike other female-led action features such as Ballerina, Atomic Blonde had respectable commercial success, reinforcing the potential value of a sequel that could refine the storytelling while preserving its standout action and style.
Why Atomic Blonde’s Sequel Has Lagged Behind The Old Guard 2
Following Atomic Blonde’s success, anticipation for a sequel has steadily built, but progress has faced setbacks. In 2020, Charlize Theron mentioned Netflix as a potential home for a follow-up, yet screenwriter Kurt Johnstad revealed he had not been contacted to return, despite his desire to develop a trilogy about Lorraine’s spy endeavors. Director David Leitch shed light on ongoing challenges, stating,
“Everyone’s still trying to unravel rights issues, and it had traveled from Universal to Netflix for a bit.”
This tangled rights situation has stalled efforts to advance the project, contrasting sharply with the rapid development of The Old Guard 2, which hit Netflix screens more quickly. Theron’s continued commitment to action roles keeps hope alive for Atomic Blonde’s return, especially as The Old Guard 2’s success on Netflix might convince the platform to greenlight more projects starring her.
The enduring popularity of Atomic Blonde’s blend of nostalgia, style, and raw physicality suggests that a sequel, if it captures Lorraine’s fierce determination, could break free from its limbo and meet the high expectations set by fans and critics alike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What illness did Charlize Theron have as a child?
A. As a child, she often got sick with jaundice. The antibiotics she took caused her upper front baby teeth to decay, so doctors had to surgically remove them. Her adult teeth didn’t come in until she was about ten years old.
Q. How did Charlize Theron get PTSD?
A. The actress was raised in Benoni, South Africa, as the only child on her family’s farm near Johannesburg. When she was 15, her mother, Gerda Maritz, shot and killed her father, Charles. This happened after he came home drunk and threatened them with a gun.
