Charlize Theron still overwhelmed by the response to ‘Mad Max’

Charlize Theron has a new movie in theaters this weekend, “Dark Places.” It's actually been playing on DirecTV for almost two months, but now it's finally getting its no doubt contractually obligated big screen run.  And while Theron gallantly stepped into the media fray for “Places” limited release, for many Imperator Furiosa is still on their minds.

George Miller's critically acclaimed “Mad Max: Fury Road” still elicits passionate responses from fans, media and the director's peers in the movie industry three months after its release.  One of the most talked about aspects of the film isn't Max himself (sorry Tom Hardy), but Theron's raw performance as Furiosa.  The character has inspired many women (including a large contingent of teenage girls) and handicapped viewers as well.  

Theron sat down to talk about “Dark Places” earlier this month and beamed when asked about her reaction to “Mad Max.”  She says she doesn't “try not to” read things, but admits she misses a lot of what's out there on the internet or social media.  That being said, the positive buzz is reaching the one-time Oscar winner.

“I think what has really affected me is the word of mouth what you hear from people, especially people with young girls,” Theron says. “I've had a lot of families, writers I've worked with years ago emailing me and saying, 'My daughter is 15 and what this movie meant to her.' It's really overwhelming and just really nice and really nice when you can have your work translate into that matter.”

Theron's priority on this particular day, however, was to talk about “Places.”  Gillian Flynn, best known for a little novel and movie called “Gone Girl,” was also on hand to discuss the adaptation of her second novel.  

“Places” finds Theron playing Libby Day, an adult woman still trying to come to grips with the murders she witnessed as a child and the fact her own life was somehow spared during them.  Libby's brother (Corey Stoll) pleaded guilty to the deaths, but a group of amateur investigators led by Lyle Wirth (Nicholas Hoult) believe he's innocent.  Desperate for money, Libby agrees to be interviewed by the fan group. This experience makes her unexpectedly begin to question her own memories of that fateful night.

You can watch our interview with Theron and Flynn embedded at the top of this post.

As for Theron, she's rumored to be returning as Furiosa in “Mad Max: The Wasteland.”  In the meantime, she's wrapped Sean Penn's “The Last Face” with Javier Bardem and reprises her role as Ravenna in “The Huntsman” opposite Chris Hemsworth and Emily Blunt.

“Dark Places” is now playing in limited release and is still available on DirecTV.

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