Charlize Theron is currently promoting Long Shot, a comedy she co-stars in with Seth Rogen. And during an interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen to promote the movie, Theron got asked a very telling question.
During a phone-in, a fan asked Theron if she regretted turning down Wonder Woman since the movie went on to be a huge success. In response, Theron explained, “This is a great of example of how Hollywood slaps you in the face when you start aging. So somebody had said to me, ‘Oh, there’s action on this thing, Wonder Woman. We just want to make you aware of it.”
She continued, “And I was like, ‘I’m just not familiar with it… I mean, what does Wonder Woman do?’ And this person said, ‘No, it’s for Wonder Woman’s mom.'” While Theron is currently 43, Gal Gadot who was eventually cast as the titular superhero is 34, meaning that there is only a nine year age difference between the actresses.
Meanwhile, Connie Nielsen was cast as Wonder Woman’s mom, Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, in the 2017 movie. According to Variety in 2016, “The studio had originally sought Nicole Kidman for the role, but scheduling conflicts with her HBO show Big Little Lies forced her to pass on the project.”
It’s worth noting that Amazonian women are regaled for having a literal ageless beauty about them. But Theron’s story is also an important reminder that ageism is still very much in existence in every industry, including Hollywood.
