Atomic Blonde 2

Atomic Blonde 2 could be another feather in the action heroine cap of Charlize Theron, who is slowly becoming a bonafide action star. It’s taken some time to carve out that niche but give credit to Theron who just wouldn’t give up or in for that matter.

Word has it that Theron will be jumping back into action as Lorraine Broughton in the follow-up to the 2017 film Atomic Blonde. It could be coming on Netflix, and considering her relationship with action movies on the streamer, there’s a good chance it could happen.

ATOMIC BLONDE CAME OUT IN 2017

Charlize Theron grabbed the role of Lorraine Broughton in 2017 (the same year she also got Cipher in The Fate of the Furious). The story was set in Cold War Berlin. Broughton was an undercover MI6 agent who was assigned to investigate the murder of a fellow agent while also trying to recover a missing list of double agents.

The movie starred James McAvoy (X-Men franchise, Split), John Goodman (The Conners, The Flintstones), and Sofia Boutella (Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Mummy).

Theron wouldn’t stop with Atomic Blonde or The Fate of the Furious. Her next big action film came with Netflix’s The Old Guard and it was very well received.

This may be why Netflix has decided to double down on Atomic Blonde by announcing that the streaming service will be home to Atomic Blonde 2.

ATOMIC BLONDE 2 COULD BE THE START OF A FRANCHISE

It wasn’t really a surprise that Netflix would finance another Charlize Theron movie; the surprise came in that it would be financing Atomic Blonde 2. The original, while not a bad movie, was not a major hit or something that would even require a sequel.

It was made on a $30 million budget and brought in a little over $100 million. But if you ask Theron herself, she’ll tell you there is plenty more Lorraine Broughton story to tell.

“We went into this talking about [a sequel] as a possibility, and it’s definitely something that excites us,” Theron told Total Film. The sequel she was referring to was for The Old Guard 2, but somehow, they veered into Atomic Blonde territory.

“We took [Atomic Blonde 2] to them and Scott Stuber [Head of Original Films at Netflix] was really interested in it. We talked to him about it extensively, and we’re in the process of writing it right now. That character was set up in a way where she didn’t really reveal much of herself. So, I feel like there’s a lot of potential there. The bar’s pretty high, but we’re excited about it.”

NETFLIX HASN’T ANNOUNCED PLOT DETAILS FOR ATOMIC BLONDE 2

In terms of news about specific plot points or returning cast members, neither Theron nor Netflix has revealed any details. They’ve only said the movie is in the early stages of development. “We’re in the development stages right now, and that’s the one thing that lockdown has been good for — being able to develop with writers over Zoom. So, we’re actively developing [an Atomic Blonde sequel] right now.”

There is also no word if David Leitch (John Wick), director of the first Atomic Blonde, or writer Kurt Johnstad (300) will return to their respective roles. If Leitch is to return to the director’s chair for Atomic Blonde 2, there may be a wait. Leitch is next scheduled to helm The Fall Guy, Undying Love, and Hot Air. So his card is a bit full right now.

One thing we do know about Atomic Blonde 2, besides Charlize Theron coming back, is the fact that she will also handle the producing role. It’s a role she cherishes and advises all young actors to get involved in.

She’s said about the role, “I now encourage young actors, all the time, to produce. It’s so valuable to really understand the logistics of putting a film together, and it really does give you a whole new appreciation for the entirety of making films. Actors can be narcissistic. They can sit in their trailers and complain about their turnarounds all the time, but once you become a producer, you become way more empathetic to all of those things.”

THERE IS NO OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE FOR ATOMIC BLONDE 2

Well, without a definite script, a release date has not been set. At this point, everything surrounding Atomic Blonde 2 is in such early stages that it’s all a guess. If Leitch comes back as the director, look for a possible 2024 Netflix premiere.

If they decide to move on from Leitch, you’re probably still looking at a 2024 or beyond release. Either way, Atomic Blonde 2 is slowly working its way to Netflix. So, let us know, would an Atomic Blonde 2 be on your watch list? As further news develops, we’ll be sure to get it to you.

CHARLIZE THERON HAS BECOME AN ACTION STAR

Back in 2005, Charlize Theron starred in her first action movie Æon Flux. It was neither a critical nor box office success, two major issues that would steer her away from the action genre for just about a decade. And she didn’t know if she’d ever get another opportunity for an action role.

Theron spoke to The Hollywood Reporter on just that subject, “Unfortunately, the very sad truth of any film in the genre with a female lead, [when] they don’t succeed, there is this mindset of, ‘Well, if it doesn’t work, you just don’t touch it again.’ A lot of women don’t get a second chance, but when men make these movies and fail miserably, they get chance after chance after chance to go and explore that again. That doesn’t necessarily happen for women.”

Her return would be big and bad, as she finally got another shot at the action genre in George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road. Her role as Furiosa opened the eyes of producers and directors around Hollywood that Theron could handle her own in an action movie and more action roles came her way. Unfortunately for Theron and fans of her Furiosa, it was also recently announced that she wouldn’t be returning in the George Miller prequel, Furiosa, with the director opting to go for a younger actress (Anya Taylor-Joy).

But the action roles didn’t stop there. She led Netflix’s The Old Guard which came out in 2020. It was an adaptation of the graphic novel and Theron played Andy, a (mostly) immortal warrior who has lived for centuries in a small group of fighters like her. They meet a new one in the ranks (Kiki Layne) and must fend off an evil drug company founder from harvesting their secrets. It was a hit for the streamer and there is a planned sequel currently in the works.