Charlize Theron has offered a disappointing update on the sequel to Atomic Blonde.
In a new interview with Elle while promoting Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Theron briefly addressed the sequel’s status and admitted it may no longer be happening. Read her comments below:
I think we might’ve passed the moment.
Against a reported $30 million budget, Atomic Blonde earned over $100 million worldwide, enough to turn a profit and spark conversations about a sequel. Over time, the movie only grew in popularity, especially on streaming, where audiences rediscovered its stylish action and Theron’s action-packed performance.
Over the last decade, Theron has built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most reliable action stars. Between major roles in franchises like Mad Max: Fury Road, The Old Guard, and the Fast & Furious series, the Oscar winner has consistently gravitated toward physically demanding, action-packed projects. One of the most notable additions to that stretch came in 2017 with Atomic Blonde.
The update on the sequel is especially disappointing considering how much momentum it once seemed to have. In 2018, reports emerged that Atomic Blonde 2 was in development at Netflix, with Theron expected to reprise her role as Lorraine Broughton. For years afterwards, the actor and director expressed enthusiasm about returning, occasionally teasing that conversations were still ongoing. However, little concrete progress materialized, and the project has since fizzled out.
Part of the challenge may come down to timing. The action genre has evolved significantly since Atomic Blonde debuted nearly a decade ago, right in the John Wick era of action flicks. Since then, Theron herself has remained busy juggling multiple franchise commitments and prestige projects, like Nolan’s The Odyssey, that pull her away from going back to the 2017 film.
Atomic Blonde’s ending also clearly left room for more stories. After revealing Lorraine’s true allegiances and multiple layers of deception, the movie concludes with the spy beginning a new mission in Paris, seemingly setting up future adventures. That unresolved ending became one of the biggest reasons fans continued pushing for a sequel in the years that followed.
For now, Theron’s latest comments serve as a disappointing reality check for fans who have spent years hoping to see Lorraine Broughton return. More importantly, it suggests one of the most stylish R-rated spy thrillers of the last decade may ultimately remain a one-and-done story.
However, Hollywood has revived dormant franchises before, particularly as nostalgia-driven sequels continue to become increasingly common. If Atomic Blonde 2 ever happens, it may require a major creative reworking or renewed interest from both the studio and cast and crew to finally move forward.
Atomic Blonde is available to stream on HBO Max.
English (US) ·