Editing Charlize Theron (section)

==Career==
===1991–2002: Early work and breakthrough===
Although she saw herself as a dancer,<ref name=CharAngel /> Theron won a one-year modelling contract at age 16<ref name=tca /> at a local competition in [[Salerno]], Italy<ref name=CharAngel /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2000/settembre/18/Charlize_Theron_Salerno_Potrei_innamorarmi_co_0_00091811394.shtml|title=Charlize Theron at Salerno "I could fall in love with Allen|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905092659/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2000/settembre/18/Charlize_Theron_Salerno_Potrei_innamorarmi_co_0_00091811394.shtml|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live|language=it}}</ref> and moved with her mother to [[Milan]], Italy.{{r|FiveThings|usaweekend}} After Theron spent a year modelling throughout Europe, she and her mother moved to the United States; they resided in New York City and [[Miami]].<ref name=usaweekend /> In New York, she attended the [[Joffrey Ballet School]], where she trained as a ballet dancer until a knee injury closed this career path.{{r|CharAngel|indielondon}} As Theron recalled in 2008:

{{blockquote|I went to New York for three days to model, and then I spent a winter in New York in a friend's windowless basement apartment. I was broke, I was taking class at the Joffrey Ballet, and my knees gave out. I realized I couldn't dance anymore, and I went into a [[Major depressive disorder|major depression]]. My mom came over from South Africa and said, "Either you figure out what to do next or you come home, because you can sulk in South Africa".<ref name=CharAngel />}}

In 1994,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,1857161,00.html |title=Play It Tough |first=Charlotte |last=Higgins |date=24 August 2006 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=23 February 2008 |archive-date=4 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504152822/http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2006/aug/24/cuba |url-status=dead }}</ref> Theron flew to [[Los Angeles]] on a one-way ticket her mother bought for her; she intended to work in the film industry.<ref name=CharAngel /> During her initial months there, she lived in a motel with the $300 budget that her mother had given her;<ref name="SAGinterview"/> she continued receiving cheques from New York and lived "from paycheck to paycheck".<ref name=Fast>{{cite AV media |date=12 July 2013 |title=Charlize Theron on her life, career, and South African homeland |medium=Television broadcast  |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XenO29VhOow | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211123/XenO29VhOow| archive-date=2021-11-23 | url-status=live|time=5:54–6:11 |publisher=FastTheLatestNews |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=9 May 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Theron stole bread from a basket in a restaurant to survive.{{r|Fast|SAGinterview}} One day, she went to a [[Hollywood Boulevard]] bank to cash a few cheques, including one her mother had sent to help with the rent;{{r|indielondon|SAGinterview}} however; the check from her mother was rejected because it was out-of-state and she was not an American citizen.<ref name="SAGinterview"/> Theron argued and pleaded with the [[bank teller]] until [[talent agent]] John Crosby,<ref name=indielondon /> who was the next customer behind her, cashed it for her and gave her his business card.{{r|tca|SAGinterview}}

Crosby introduced Theron to an acting school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rd.com/celebrities/movie-celebs/face-to-face-with-charlize-theron/article.html |title=Charlize Theron Interview |first=Sara |last=Davidson |date=October 2005 |work=[[Reader's Digest]] |access-date=23 February 2008|archive-date=25 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325213620/http://www.rd.com/celebrities/movie-celebs/face-to-face-with-charlize-theron/article.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1995, she played her first non-speaking film role in the [[horror film]] ''[[Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest]]''.<ref name=tca/> In Theron's first speaking role, she portrayed [[hitwoman]] Helga Svelgen in ''[[2 Days in the Valley]]'' (1996). Despite the film's mixed reviews, Theron drew attention due to her beauty and to a scene in which she fought [[Teri Hatcher]]'s character.{{r|SAGinterview|firing}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Tim |title=TOTAL RECALL: THE 20 GREATEST FIGHTS SCENES EVER |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/total-recall-the-20-greatest-fights-scenes-ever/ |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=9 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219190200/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/Total-Recall-The-20-Greatest-Fights-Scenes-Ever/ |archive-date=19 February 2020 |date=17 April 2008 |quote=17. 2 DAYS IN THE VALLEY (1996) - 59% - Charlize Theron vs. Teri Hatcher [...] ''2 Days in the Valley'' sets itself apart in a number of ways, not least of which is a hotel room-destroying donnybrook between Teri Hatcher and Charlize Theron.}}</ref> Theron feared being [[typecast]] as characters similar to Helga and recalled being asked to repeat her performance in the film during auditions:<ref name="SAGinterview"/> "A lot of people were saying, 'You should just hit while the iron's hot' [...] But playing the same part over and over doesn't leave you with any longevity. And I knew it was going to be harder for me, because of what I look like, to branch out to different kinds of roles".<ref name="firing">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2008/06/charlize_theron?printable=true |title=Charlize |first=Gabriel |last=Snyder |date=June 2008 |magazine=[[W (magazine)|W]] |access-date=23 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210125754/http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2008/06/charlize_theron?printable=true |archive-date=10 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

When auditioning for ''[[Showgirls]]'', Theron was introduced to talent agent J. J. Harris by co-casting director Johanna Ray. She recalled being surprised at how much faith Harris had in her potential. Theron has referred to Harris as her mentor. Harris found scripts and films for Theron in a variety of genres and encouraged her to become a producer. She served as Theron's agent for over 15 years.{{r|SAGinterview|FiveThings}}

Theron's career expanded by the end of the 1990s. In the horror drama ''[[The Devil's Advocate (1997 film)|The Devil's Advocate]]'' (1997), which is credited as her break-out film,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/charlize-theron-i-trained-for-five-hours-a-day-for-three-months-to-get-stunts-right-36019620.html|title=Charlize Theron: 'I trained for five hours a day for three months to get stunts right'|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=11 August 2017|access-date=26 October 2018|archive-date=26 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064553/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/charlize-theron-i-trained-for-five-hours-a-day-for-three-months-to-get-stunts-right-36019620.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Theron starred alongside [[Keanu Reeves]] and [[Al Pacino]] as the haunted wife of an unusually successful lawyer. She subsequently starred in the adventure film ''[[Mighty Joe Young (1998 film)|Mighty Joe Young]]'' (1998) as the friend and protector of a giant mountain gorilla, and in the drama ''[[The Cider House Rules (film)|The Cider House Rules]]'' (1999), as a woman who seeks an abortion in World War II-era [[Maine]].<ref name=tca /> While ''Mighty Joe Young'' flopped at the box office,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mightyjoeyoung.htm |title=Mighty Joe Young |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064638/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mightyjoeyoung.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> ''The Devil's Advocate'' and ''The Cider House Rules'' were commercially successful.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=devilsadvocate.htm |title=The Devil's Advocate |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064624/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=devilsadvocate.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=ciderhouserules.htm |title=The Cider House Rules |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064611/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=ciderhouserules.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> She appeared on the cover of the January 1999 issue of ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' as the "White Hot Venus".<ref>{{cite book|first=Philippe J. |last=Salazar |title=An African Athens |page=112|publisher=Lawrence Erlbaum Associates|year=2002|isbn=978-0-8058-3341-6}}</ref> The May 1999 issue of ''[[Playboy (magazine)|Playboy]]'' magazine also featured Theron on its cover; the photos of Theron used by ''Playboy'' had been taken several years earlier when she was an unknown model, and Theron unsuccessfully sued the magazine for publishing them without her consent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/charlize-theron-drew-barrymore-10-surprising-playboy-cover-stars-photos-553578|title=Charlize Theron to Drew Barrymore: 10 Surprising Playboy Cover Star|work=ibtimes.com|date=15 December 2011|access-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105023719/http://www.ibtimes.com/charlize-theron-drew-barrymore-10-surprising-playboy-cover-stars-photos-553578|archive-date=5 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/galleries/gallery/-/14782942/most-scandalous-celebrity-photoshoots/5/|title=Most Scandalous Photoshoots|date=6 September 2012|access-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216073612/http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/galleries/gallery/-/14782942/most-scandalous-celebrity-photoshoots/5/|archive-date=16 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

By the early 2000s, Theron continued to steadily take on roles in films such as ''[[Reindeer Games]]'' (2000), ''[[The Yards]]'' (2000), ''[[The Legend of Bagger Vance]]'' (2000), ''[[Men of Honor]]'' (2000), ''[[Sweet November (2001 film)|Sweet November]]'' (2001), ''[[The Curse of the Jade Scorpion]]'' (2001), and ''[[Trapped (2002 film)|Trapped]]'' (2002), all of which, despite achieving only limited commercial success, helped to establish her as an actress. On this period in her career, Theron remarked: "I kept finding myself in a place where directors would back me but studios didn't. [I began] a love affair with directors, the ones I really, truly admired. I found myself making really bad movies, too. ''Reindeer Games'' was not a good movie, but I did it because I loved [director] [[John Frankenheimer]]".<ref>{{cite web|first=Johnathan |last=Van Meter |date=October 2004 |url=http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/092704/page2.html |title= Bronzed bombshell |publisher=Vogue |website=Style.com |access-date= 24 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708215330/http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/092704/page2.html |archive-date=8 July 2008}}</ref>

===2003–2010: Rise to prominence===

[[File:Ms. magazine Cover - Fall 2005.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Theron on the cover of ''[[Ms. (magazine)|Ms.]]'' magazine in 2005]]

Theron starred as a safe and vault technician in the 2003 heist film ''[[The Italian Job (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]'', an American homage/[[remake]] of the 1969 British [[The Italian Job|film of the same name]], directed by [[F. Gary Gray]] and opposite [[Mark Wahlberg]], [[Edward Norton]], [[Jason Statham]], [[Seth Green]], and [[Donald Sutherland]]. The film was a box office success, grossing US$176 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=De Line hire portends more changes at Par |first=Dave |last=McNary |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/de-line-hire-portends-more-changes-at-par-1117897479/ |date=21 December 2003 |access-date=5 October 2008 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502105337/https://variety.com/article/VR1117897479.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ''[[Monster (2003 film)|Monster]]'' (2003), Theron portrayed [[serial killer]] [[Aileen Wuornos]], a former prostitute who was executed in Florida in 2002 for killing six men (she was not tried for a seventh murder) in the late 1980s and early 1990s;<ref name=tca /> film critic [[Roger Ebert]] felt that Theron gave "one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040101/REVIEWS/40310032/1023 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |title=Reviews: ''Monster'' |date=1 January 2004 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |archive-date= 5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605075434/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20040101%2FREVIEWS%2F40310032%2F1023 |url-status=live }}</ref> For her portrayal, she was awarded the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]] at the [[76th Academy Awards]] in February 2004,<ref name="oscars-db">{{cite web|title=Academy Awards Database: Charlize Theron|publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|url=http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearch?action=searchLink&displayType=6&BSNomineeID=69587|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130113030444/http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/BasicSearch?action=searchLink&displayType=6&BSNomineeID=69587|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 January 2013|access-date=30 January 2008}}</ref> as well as the [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] and the [[Golden Globe Award]].<ref name="globes-db">{{cite web|title=Golden Globe Award Database: Charlize Theron |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/28564 |publisher=Hollywood Foreign Press Association |access-date=30 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523013603/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/28564 |archive-date=23 May 2006}}</ref> She is the first South African to win an Oscar for Best Actress.<ref name="bbc-wof"/> The Oscar win pushed her to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''{{'}}s 2006 list of highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, earning up to US$10 million for a film; she ranked seventh.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15958023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206031831/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/15958023/ns/today-entertainment/t/kidman-now-highest-paid-actress/|url-status=live|archive-date=6 December 2011|title=Kidman now highest paid actress|work=msnbc|date=29 November 2006 |access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref> ''AskMen'' named her the number one most desirable woman of 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/specials/2003_top_99/1.html |title=Charlize Theron |work=askmen.com |access-date=8 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202110233/http://www.askmen.com/specials/2003_top_99/1.html |archive-date= 2 December 2012}}</ref>

For her role as Swedish actress and singer [[Britt Ekland]] in the 2004 [[HBO]] film ''[[The Life and Death of Peter Sellers]]'', Theron garnered Golden Globe Award and [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nominations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/charlize-theron|title=Charlize Theron|work=Television Academy|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615145422/http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/charlize-theron|archive-date=15 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, she portrayed [[List of Arrested Development minor characters#Rita Leeds|Rita]], the mentally challenged love interest of [[Michael Bluth]] ([[Jason Bateman]]), on the third season of [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s television series ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/charlize-theron-arrested-fox-comedy-wbna9129736|title=Charlize Theron gets 'Arrested' this season|publisher=[[Today.com]]|date=30 August 2005|access-date=24 July 2009|archive-date=23 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223065042/http://www.today.com/popculture/charlize-theron-arrested-fox-comedy-wbna9129736|url-status=live}}</ref> and starred in the financially unsuccessful science fiction thriller ''[[Æon Flux (film)|Æon Flux]]''; for her voice-over work in the ''Aeon Flux'' video game, she received a [[Spike Video Game Awards|Spike Video Game Award]] for Best Performance by a Human Female.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spike TV Video Game Awards 2005 Winners Announced |publisher=gamezone.com |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/item/spike_tv_video_game_awards_2005_winners_announced/ |access-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614032846/http://www.gamezone.com/news/spike_tv_video_game_awards_2005_winners_announced |archive-date=14 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Video Game Awards 05' Pictures |publisher=cbsnews.com |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/2300-500150_162-1080110-12.html |access-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034637/http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-500150_162-1080110-12.html |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Charlize.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Theron attending the premiere of ''[[North Country (film)|North Country]]'' at the [[2005 Toronto International Film Festival]]]]

In the critically acclaimed drama ''[[North Country (film)|North Country]]'' (2005), Theron played a single mother and an iron mine worker experiencing sexual harassment. David Rooney of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote: "The film represents a confident next step for lead Charlize Theron. Though the challenges of following a career-redefining Oscar role have stymied actresses, Theron segues from ''[[Monster (2003 film)|Monster]]'' to a performance in many ways more accomplished [...] The strength of both the performance and character anchor the film firmly in the tradition of other dramas about working-class women leading the fight over industrial workplace issues, such as ''[[Norma Rae]]'' or ''[[Silkwood]]''."<ref>Rooney, David. (12 September 2005) [https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_review/VE1117928151.html?nav=reviews07&categoryid=1986&cs=1&p=0 ''Variety'' review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020143600/http://www.variety.com/awardcentral_review/VE1117928151.html?nav=reviews07&categoryid=1986&cs=1&p=0 |date=20 October 2012 }}. ''Variety''. Retrieved on 8 July 2011.</ref> Roger Ebert echoed the same sentiment, calling her "an actress who has the beauty of a fashion model but has found resources within herself for these powerful roles about unglamorous women in the world of men."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=North Country movie review & film summary (2005) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/north-country-2005|website=rogerebert.com/|access-date=22 October 2020|archive-date=18 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118150400/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/north-country-2005|url-status=live}}</ref> For her performance, she received [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] and [[Golden Globe Award]] nominations for Best Actress.{{r|oscars-db|globes-db}} [[Ms. (magazine)|''Ms.'' magazine]] honoured her for this performance with a feature article in its Fall 2005 issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msmagazine.com/fall2005/oscar.asp|title=Ms. Congratulates Charlize Theron!|work=[[Ms. (magazine)|Ms.]] |access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223180225/http://www.msmagazine.com/fall2005/oscar.asp|archive-date=23 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 30 September 2005, Theron received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name="bbc-wof">{{cite news|title=Hollywood honours actress Theron|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4296424.stm|work=BBC News|date=30 September 2005|access-date=8 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105144053/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4296424.stm|archive-date=5 January 2009|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, Theron played a police detective in the critically acclaimed crime film ''[[In the Valley of Elah]]'', and produced and starred as a reckless, slatternly mother in the drama film ''[[Sleepwalking (film)|Sleepwalking]]'', alongside [[Nick Stahl]] and [[AnnaSophia Robb]]. ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]'' praised the latter film, commenting that "Despite its deficiencies, and the inadequate screen time allotted to Theron (who's quite good), ''Sleepwalking'' has a core of feeling".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0314/p16s01-almo.html|title='Sleepwalking' has a dreamy feel |first=Peter |last=Rainer |date=14 March 2008 |newspaper=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |access-date=15 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317220803/http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0314/p16s01-almo.html |archive-date=17 March 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008, Theron starred as a woman who faced a traumatic childhood in the drama ''[[The Burning Plain]]'', directed by [[Guillermo Arriaga]] and opposite [[Jennifer Lawrence]] and [[Kim Basinger]], and played the ex-wife of an alcoholic superhero alongside [[Will Smith]] in the [[superhero film]] ''[[Hancock (film)|Hancock]]''. ''The Burning Plain'' found a limited release in US theatres,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=2009&wknd=38&p=.htm |title=Domestic 2009 Weekend 38 |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064618/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=2009&wknd=38&p=.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> but grossed $5,267,917 outside the US. ''Hancock'' made US$624.3 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=charlizetheron.htm |title=Charlize Theron Movie Box Office Results |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026104131/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=charlizetheron.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Also in 2008, Theron was named the [[Hasty Pudding Theatricals]] [[Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year|Woman of the Year]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=521600 |title=Hasty Pudding To Honor Walken, Theron |work=[[The Harvard Crimson]] |first=Chelsea L. |last=Shover |date=24 January 2008 |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206062214/http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=521600 |archive-date=6 December 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was asked to be a [[United Nations Messengers of Peace|UN Messenger of Peace]] by the UN Secretary-General [[Ban Ki-moon]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7730770.stm|title=Entertainment &#124; Actress to become UN peace envoy|publisher=BBC News|date=15 November 2008|access-date=24 July 2009|archive-date=2 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502105311/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7730770.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Her film releases in 2009 were the post-apocalyptic drama ''[[The Road (2009 film)|The Road]]'', in which she briefly appears in [[flashback (narrative)|flashbacks]], and the animated film ''[[Astro Boy (film)|Astro Boy]]'', providing her voice for a character. On 4 December 2009, Theron co-presented the draw for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in [[Cape Town]], South Africa, accompanied by several other celebrities of South African nationality or ancestry. During rehearsals she drew an [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Ireland]] ball instead of [[France national football team|France]] as a joke at the expense of FIFA, referring to [[Thierry Henry]]'s handball controversy in the [[France vs Republic of Ireland (2010 FIFA World Cup Play-Off)|play-off match]] between France and Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/theron-has-a-ball-at-fifas-expense-1962410.html|title=Theron has a ball at FIFA's expense|first=Jason|last=O'Brien|work=[[The Irish Independent]]|date=3 December 2009|access-date=8 June 2010|archive-date=12 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100312080525/http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/theron-has-a-ball-at-fifas-expense-1962410.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://tonight.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=354&fArticleId=5273884 Charlize puts Ireland in the finals]. 4 December 2009 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429033910/http://tonight.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=354&fArticleId=5273884 |date=29 April 2015}}</ref> The stunt alarmed FIFA enough for it to fear she might do it again in front of a live global audience.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/FIFA-shock-as-Charlize-Theron-picks-Ireland-as-first-team-for-World-Cup-78329492.html |title=FIFA shock as Charlize Theron picks Ireland as first team in World Cup draw, Hollywood star pulls stunt on World Cup officials in South Africa |date=2 December 2009 |publisher=Irishcentral.com |access-date=8 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303172637/http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/FIFA-shock-as-Charlize-Theron-picks-Ireland-as-first-team-for-World-Cup-78329492.html |archive-date=3 March 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===2011–2019: Established actress===
Following a two-year hiatus from films, Theron returned to the spotlight in 2011 with the black comedy ''[[Young Adult (film)|Young Adult]]''. Directed by Jason Reitman, the film earned critical acclaim, particularly for her performance as a depressed, divorced, alcoholic 37-year-old [[ghostwriter]]. [[Richard Roeper]] awarded the film an A grade, stating "Charlize Theron delivers one of the most impressive performances of the year".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/youngadult.aspx |title= Young Adult Review |first= Richard |last= Roeper |author-link= Richard Roeper |publisher= Richard Roeper & The Movies / [[Reelz Channel]] |access-date= 21 April 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120419074420/http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/youngadult.aspx |archive-date= 19 April 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and several other awards. Roger Ebert called her one of the best actors working today.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Young Adult movie review & film summary (2011) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/young-adult-2011|website=rogerebert.com/|access-date=22 October 2020|archive-date=27 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027073722/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/young-adult-2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Charlize Theron WonderCon 2012 (Straighten Crop).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Theron promoting ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]'' at the 2012 [[WonderCon]]]]

In 2012, Theron took on the role of villain in two big-budgeted films. She played [[Queen (Snow White)|Evil Queen Ravenna]], Snow White's evil stepmother, in ''[[Snow White and the Huntsman]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/charlize-theron-to-play-evil-queen-in-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-_n_807192|title=Charlize Theron To Play Evil Queen In 'Snow White And The Huntsman'|work=HuffPost|date=11 January 2011|access-date=5 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320023552/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/11/charlize-theron-to-play-evil-queen-in-snow-white-and-the-huntsman-_n_807192.html|archive-date=20 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> opposite [[Kristen Stewart]] and [[Chris Hemsworth]], and appeared as a crew member with a hidden agenda in [[Ridley Scott]]'s ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]''. [[Mick LaSalle]] of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' found ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' to be "[a] slow, boring film that has no charm and is highlighted only by a handful of special effects and Charlize Theron's truly evil queen",<ref>{{cite news|author=Mick LaSalle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Snow-White-and-the-Huntsman-review-Dwarfed-3599419.php |title='Snow White and the Huntsman' review: Dwarfed |newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=1 June 2012 |access-date=2 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-date=27 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427224155/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Snow-White-and-the-Huntsman-review-Dwarfed-3599419.php}}</ref> while ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' writer Todd McCarthy, describing her role in ''Prometheus'', asserted: "Theron is in ice goddess mode here, with the emphasis on ice [...] but perfect for the role all the same".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/prometheus-film-review-330414 |title=Prometheus Film Review |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026070023/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/prometheus-film-review-330414 |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Both films were major box office hits, grossing around US$400 million internationally each.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=snowwhiteandthehuntsman.htm|website=Box Office Mojo |title=Snow White and the Huntsman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064628/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=snowwhiteandthehuntsman.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=prometheus.htm |title=Prometheus|website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064630/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=prometheus.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, ''Vulture''/''NYMag'' named her the 68th Most Valuable Star in Hollywood saying: "We're just happy that Theron can stay on the list in a year when she didn't come out with anything [...] any actress who's got that kind of skill, beauty, and ferocity ought to have a permanent place in Hollywood".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/most-valuable-movie-stars.html#/all/vulture-rankings|title=Vulture's 100 Most Valuable Stars of 2013|work=Vulture|date=22 October 2013|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607025255/http://www.vulture.com/2013/10/most-valuable-movie-stars.html#/all/vulture-rankings|archive-date=7 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 May 2014, Theron hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on [[NBC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/04/charlize-theron-andy-samberg-hosting-snl.html|title=Charlize Theron, Andy Samberg Will Host Last Two SNLs of the Season|last=Lyons|first=Margaret|date=23 April 2014|website=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727201242/https://www.vulture.com/2014/04/charlize-theron-andy-samberg-hosting-snl.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/charlize-theron-is-the-ultimate-cat-lady-on-snl-236071/|title=Charlize Theron is the Ultimate Cat Lady on 'SNL'|last=Coleman|first=Miriam|date=11 May 2014|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=27 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727202404/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/charlize-theron-is-the-ultimate-cat-lady-on-snl-236071/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Theron took on the role of the wife of an infamous outlaw in the western comedy film ''[[A Million Ways to Die in the West]]'', directed by [[Seth MacFarlane]], which was met with mediocre reviews and moderate box office returns.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west |title=A Million Ways to Die in the West |work=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718035837/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west |archive-date=18 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3855&p=.htm |title=Weekend Report: 'Stars' Align for 'Fault,' Cruise Misses with 'Edge' |first=Ray|last=Subers |date=8 June 2014 |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116031746/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3855&p=.htm |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In 2015, Theron played the sole survivor of the massacre of her family in the film adaptation of the [[Gillian Flynn]] novel ''[[Dark Places (Flynn novel)|Dark Places]]'', directed by [[Gilles Paquet-Brenner]], in which she had a producer credit,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/02/berlin-toldja-charlize-theron-locked-for-dark-places-423950/|title=Berlin TOLDJA! Charlize Theron Locked For 'Dark Places' - Deadline|author=Nancy Tartaglione|work=Deadline|date=7 February 2013|access-date=7 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212091004/http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/berlin-toldja-charlize-theron-locked-for-dark-places/|archive-date=12 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and starred as [[Imperator Furiosa]] in ''[[Mad Max: Fury Road]]'' (2015), opposite [[Tom Hardy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/movies/mad-max-to-the-rescue-of-aussie-film-industry/story-e6frexli-1225790616747|title=Mad Max to the Rescue... again|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia|access-date=24 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117022704/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/movies/mad-max-to-the-rescue-of-aussie-film-industry/story-e6frexli-1225790616747|archive-date=17 January 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=McNary|title=Charlize Theron to star in 'Mad' film|url=https://variety.com/2009/biz/markets-festivals/charlize-theron-to-star-in-mad-film-1118010598/|work=Variety|date=29 October 2009|access-date=30 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102020402/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010598.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1|archive-date=2 November 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Mad Max'' received widespread critical acclaim, with praise going towards Theron for the dominant nature taken by her character.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Mad Max: Fury Road could be the loudest silent movie ever |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/why-mad-max-fury-road-could-be-the-loudest-silent-movie-ever-20150526-gh9f66.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |first=Paul |last=Byrnes |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=23 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703045152/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/why-mad-max-fury-road-could-be-the-loudest-silent-movie-ever-20150526-gh9f66.html |archive-date=3 July 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The film made US$378.4 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=furyroad.htm |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=5 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031041227/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=furyroad.htm |archive-date=31 October 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> She next reprised her role as Queen Ravenna in the 2016 film ''[[The Huntsman: Winter's War]]'', a sequel to ''Snow White and the Huntsman'',<ref>{{cite web |title = 'Snow White and the Huntsman 2' Trailer, Plot & Release Date: Emily Blunt Cast as Evil Snow Queen? |url = http://www.latinospost.com/articles/48969/20150120/snow-white-huntsman-2-trailer-plot-release-date-emily-blunt.htm |date = 20 January 2015 |website = Latinos Post |access-date = 25 September 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925180545/http://www.latinospost.com/articles/48969/20150120/snow-white-huntsman-2-trailer-plot-release-date-emily-blunt.htm |archive-date = 25 September 2015 |url-status=live |last1 = Post |first1 = Latinos }}</ref> which was a critical and commercial failure.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4179&p=.htm |title='Jungle Book' Repeats, 'Huntsman' Falls On His Axe and 'Zootopia' Tops $900M Worldwide |date=24 April 2016 |first=Brad|last=Brevet |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064635/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4179&p=.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In 2016, Theron starred as a physician and activist working in West Africa in the little-seen romantic drama ''[[The Last Face]]'', with [[Sean Penn]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/markets-festivals/sean-penn-last-face-cannes-1201779504/ |date=20 May 2016 |title=Sean Penn's 'The Last Face' Ripped Apart on Twitter After Cannes Debut |first=Brent|last=Lang |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064646/https://variety.com/2016/film/markets-festivals/sean-penn-last-face-cannes-1201779504/ |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> provided her voice for the 3D stop-motion fantasy film ''[[Kubo and the Two Strings]]'', and produced the independent drama ''[[Brain on Fire (film)|Brain on Fire]]''. That year, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named her in the [[Time 100|''Time'' 100]] list of the most influential people in the world.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://time.com/4299681/charlize-theron-2016-time-100/ |title=Charlize Theron by Blake Mycoskie: TIME 100 |magazine=Time |access-date=29 July 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200410090119/https://time.com/4299681/charlize-theron-2016-time-100/ |archive-date=10 April 2020 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

[[File:Charlize Theron in 2017.jpg|upright|thumb|Theron at the 2017 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]

In 2017, Theron starred in ''[[The Fate of the Furious]]'' as the cyberterrorist Cipher, the main antagonist of the entire franchise, and played a spy on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 in ''[[Atomic Blonde]]'', an adaptation of the graphic novel ''The Coldest City'', directed by [[David Leitch (director)|David Leitch]].<ref>{{cite web|title = John Wick 2 co-director David Leitch exits to helm The Coldest City|url = https://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/02/john-wick-2-coldest-city|date = 2 October 2015|website = EntertainmentWeekly|access-date = 4 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151104215347/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/10/02/john-wick-2-coldest-city|archive-date = 4 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Fate of The Furious'' had a worldwide gross of US$1.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=furious8.htm |title=The Fate of the Furious |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002021531/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=furious8.htm |archive-date=2 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> and ''Atomic Blonde'' was described by Richard Roeper of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' as "a slick vehicle for the magnetic, badass charms of Charlize Theron, who is now officially an A-list action star on the strength of this film and ''Mad Max: Fury Road''".<ref>{{cite news |last=Roeper |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |date=24 July 2017 |title=Charlize Theron joins action's top echelon with slick 'Atomic Blonde' |url=http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/charlize-theron-joins-actions-top-echelon-with-slick-atomic-blonde/ |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times|Chicago Sun Times]] |access-date=27 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803074238/http://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/charlize-theron-joins-actions-top-echelon-with-slick-atomic-blonde/ |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In the black comedy ''[[Tully (2018 film)|Tully]]'' (2018), directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody, Theron played an overwhelmed mother of three. The film was acclaimed by critics, who concluded it "delves into the modern parenthood experience with an admirably deft blend of humor and raw honesty, brought to life by an outstanding performance by Charlize Theron".<ref>{{cite web |title=Tully (2018) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tully_2018 |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date=4 May 2018 |publisher=[[Fandango Media]] |access-date=14 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008170410/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tully_2018/ |archive-date=8 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> She played the president of a pharmaceutical corporation in the crime film ''[[Gringo (2018 film)|Gringo]]'' and produced the biographical war drama film ''[[A Private War]]'', both released in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=gringo18.htm |title=Gringo |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064646/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=gringo18.htm |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In 2019, Theron produced and starred in the romantic comedy film ''[[Long Shot (2019 film)|Long Shot]]'', opposite [[Seth Rogen]] and directed by [[Jonathan Levine]], portraying a [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] who reconnects with a journalist she used to babysit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/seth-rogen-charlize-theron-comedy-moves-up-to-first-weekend-in-may-after-scoring-sxsw-world-premiere-1202537217/|title=Seth Rogen-Charlize Theron Comedy Moves Up To First Weekend In May After Scoring SXSW Slot|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=17 January 2019|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411173550/https://deadline.com/2019/01/seth-rogen-charlize-theron-comedy-moves-up-to-first-weekend-in-may-after-scoring-sxsw-world-premiere-1202537217/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film had its world premiere at [[South by Southwest]] in March, and was released on 3 May to positive reviews from film critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/long_shot_2019|title=Long Shot (2019)|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=3 May 2019 |publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507182117/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/long_shot_2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Theron next starred as [[Megyn Kelly]] in the drama ''[[Bombshell (2019 film)|Bombshell]]'', which she co-produced. Directed by [[Jay Roach]], the film revolves around the sexual harassment allegations made against Fox News CEO [[Roger Ailes]] by former female employees.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=Charlize Theron To Play Megyn Kelly In Fox News Movie At Annapurna |url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/charlize-theron-megyn-kelly-fox-news-women-movie-cast-1202395634/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=22 May 2018 |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=23 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723223259/https://deadline.com/2018/05/charlize-theron-megyn-kelly-fox-news-women-movie-cast-1202395634/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For her work in the film, Theron was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Actress]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/oscars-2020-nominations-list-academy-awards-nominees-1202828454/|title=The 92nd Oscar Nominations: The Complete List|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=13 January 2020|access-date=13 January 2020|archive-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113145411/https://deadline.com/2020/01/oscars-2020-nominations-list-academy-awards-nominees-1202828454/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/golden-globes-nominations-announced-updating-live-1202804135/|title=Golden Globes Nominations: 'Marriage Story', Netflix, 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Lead Way In Film—Full List Of Nominations|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=9 December 2019|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211174953/https://deadline.com/2019/12/golden-globes-nominations-announced-updating-live-1202804135/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/critics-choice-nominations-film-tv-nominees-list-1202803785/|title='The Irishman', 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Lead Critics' Choice Nominations; Netflix Dominates With 61 Noms In Movies And TV|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Pete|last=Hammond|date=8 December 2019|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208185645/https://deadline.com/2019/12/critics-choice-nominations-film-tv-nominees-list-1202803785/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/sag-awards-nominations-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1202806390/|title=SAG Awards Nominations: 'Bombshell', 'The Irishman', 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Top Film List, 'Maisel,' 'Fleabag' Score In TV – Complete List Of Noms|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=11 December 2019|access-date=11 December 2019|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211153707/https://deadline.com/2019/12/sag-awards-nominations-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1202806390/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/bafta-film-awards-nominations-full-list-joker-irishman-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-1202823097/|title=BAFTA Film Awards Nominations: 'Joker', 'The Irishman', 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Lead – Full List|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|date=7 January 2020|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108164424/https://deadline.com/2020/01/bafta-film-awards-nominations-full-list-joker-irishman-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-1202823097/|url-status=live}}</ref> That year, ''Forbes'' ranked her as the ninth highest-paid actress in the world, with an annual income of $23 million.<ref name="forbes19">{{cite news |last=Berg |first=Madeline |title=The Highest-Paid Actresses 2019: Scarlett Johansson Leads With $56 Million |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2019/08/23/highest-paid-actresses-scarlett-johansson/#3fe06aeb4b4d |date=23 August 2019 |work=Forbes |access-date=25 August 2019 |archive-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824210529/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2019/08/23/highest-paid-actresses-scarlett-johansson/#3fe06aeb4b4d |url-status=live }}</ref> 

===2020–present: Continued success===

In 2020, she produced and starred opposite [[KiKi Layne]] in the superhero film ''[[The Old Guard (2020 film)|The Old Guard]]'', directed by [[Gina Prince-Bythewood]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/charlize-theron-netflix-the-old-guard-movie-1202561033/|title=Charlize Theron & KiKi Layne Comic Book Action Feature 'The Old Guard' Lands At Netflix|date=21 February 2019|website=Deadline|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030135142/https://deadline.com/2019/02/charlize-theron-netflix-the-old-guard-movie-1202561033/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Breznican |first1=Anthony |title=First Look at Charlize Theron's Immortal Warrior in The Old Guard |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/05/first-look-at-charlize-theron-immortal-warrior-in-the-old-guard |work=Variety |url-status=live |date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200513164548/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/05/first-look-at-charlize-theron-immortal-warrior-in-the-old-guard |archive-date=13 May 2020}}</ref> The following year, she reprised her role as Cipher in ''[[F9 (film)|F9]]'', originally set for release on 22 May 2020,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/07/08/charlize-theron-helen-mirren-fast-9/ |title=Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren strap back in for Fast & Furious 9 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Derek|last=Lawrence|date=8 July 2019|access-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708135451/https://ew.com/movies/2019/07/08/charlize-theron-helen-mirren-fast-9/|archive-date=8 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> before its delay to June 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/12/f9-delayed-to-2021-amid-coronavrius-pandemic-concerns.html|title='F9' delayed to 2021 amid coronavrius pandemic concerns|last=Whitten|first=Sarah|date=12 March 2020|website=CNBC|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315001551/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/12/f9-delayed-to-2021-amid-coronavrius-pandemic-concerns.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, Theron appeared in several projects. Upon the film's release in May, it was revealed that Theron would portray the character [[Clea Strange|Clea]] in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU), beginning with her debut in the [[mid-credits scene]] of the superhero film ''[[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]]''.<ref>{{cite web | last=Schedeen | first=Jesse | title=Charlize Theron's Clea Explained: Who Is the Doctor Strange Post-Credits Cameo Character? | website=[[IGN]] | date=5 May 2022 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-strange-clea-multiverse-of-madness-post-credits-charlize-theron | access-date=7 May 2022 | archive-date=7 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507000837/https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-strange-clea-multiverse-of-madness-post-credits-charlize-theron | url-status=live }}</ref> She played Lady Lesso in the fantasy [[Netflix]] film ''[[The School for Good and Evil (film)|The School for Good and Evil]]''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=19 February 2021|title=Kerry Washington And Charlize Theron Join Netflix's 'The School For Good And Evil'|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/kerry-washington-charlize-theron-the-school-for-good-and-evil-movie-1234697107/|url-status=live|access-date=19 February 2021|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219172356/https://deadline.com/2021/02/kerry-washington-charlize-theron-the-school-for-good-and-evil-movie-1234697107/ |archive-date=19 February 2021 }}</ref> and filmed a [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] in the third season opener of ''[[The Boys (TV series)|The Boys]]'' as an actress playing Stormfront.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=3 June 2022 |first=Nick |last=Romano |title='The Boys' season 3 welcomes Hollywood A-lister for surprise cameo |url=https://ew.com/tv/the-boys-season-3-charlize-theron-stormfront/ |access-date=2022-06-03 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=3 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603225019/https://ew.com/tv/the-boys-season-3-charlize-theron-stormfront/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, Theron reprised her role as Cipher in ''[[Fast X]]'' and executive produced the [[HBO]] documentary series ''[[Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York]]'' about a serial killer preying on gay men.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://press.wbd.com/na/media-release/hbo-0/last-call-when-serial-killer-stalked-queer-new-york/hbo-original-docuseries-last-call-when-serial-killer-stalked-queer-new-york-debuts|title=HBO Original Docuseries LAST CALL: WHEN A SERIAL KILLER STALKED QUEER NEW YORK Debuts July 9|website=[[Warner Bros. Discovery]]|date=June 21, 2023|access-date=July 2, 2023|archive-date=2 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702213634/https://press.wbd.com/na/media-release/hbo-0/last-call-when-serial-killer-stalked-queer-new-york/hbo-original-docuseries-last-call-when-serial-killer-stalked-queer-new-york-debuts|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, she was cast in [[Christopher Nolan]]{{'s}} upcoming epic film ''[[The Odyssey (2026 film)|The Odyssey]]'' (2026).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Christopher Nolan's Next Film Is An Adaptation Of Homer's 'The Odyssey,' Universal Reveals |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-confirmed-directors-new-film-universal-1236241340/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223222535/https://deadline.com/2024/12/christopher-nolan-the-odyssey-confirmed-directors-new-film-universal-1236241340/ |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>