We thought Charlize Theron couldn’t get any cooler after Mad Max: Fury Road, but it looks like we were wrong. Deadline is reporting that Theron will be stepping into the lead role of the upcoming thriller The Gray Man, now that Brad Pitt has bowed out. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Mark Greaney, about a CIA operative-turned-assassin.
Of course, it looks like the script (penned by Captain America: Civil War directors Joe and Anthony Russo) will be in need of some changes, but this certainly isn’t the first time gender-swapping has occurred in a major Hollywood film. Angelina Jolie’s character in Salt was originally going to be played by Tom Cruise, and it recently was reported that Sandra Bullock replaced George Clooney in the soon-to-be-released drama Our Brand is Crisis.
Despite all the frustrating inequalities that currently exist in Hollywood, this is certainly a trend we could get used to. Maybe this will become a regular occurrence, seeing as strong and capable actresses like Charlize Theron have already proven they can handle any role their male counterparts can. Which leaves us wondering: would male actors be brave enough to take on a role originally meant for a woman?
