Charlize Theron performed most of the dangerous scenes in the action films she starred in herself.
Namely, in “Atomic Blonde,” Theron had to learn almost 30 consecutive moves for the fight scenes on the stairs and perform them in a way that director David Leitch had no objection to.
The actress emphasized that she was not always confident in her abilities and in 2004, while filming the science fiction film “Æon Flux,” she had an accident during a scene in which she was hanging from wires and jumping off a trampoline.
“It was a serious accident. I was inches away from permanent paralysis. It all woke me up and made me realize how important it is to be fully prepared,” Theron said.
Due to the injury, she suffered severe pain, numbness, and nerve damage.
“Four years ago I had a cervical spine fusion surgery, which was the best decision I ever made. My body is functioning well now and I don’t want to risk my health again,” she says.
All of this, she explains, hasn’t stopped her, but she has decided to be even more prepared for all future roles.