Charlize Theron and Sofia Boutella get up close and personal in a new Atomic Blonde clip dubbed Chapter 2: The Politics of Dancing. Following the blockbuster success of Wonder Woman in its opening weekend, the summer movie season is shaping up to be a wondrous one for films about female empowerment. Of course, things kicked off in May with the no-nonsense, “don’t mess with me” performances of Zoe Saldana and Karen Gillan in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Gal Gadot impressed fans across the globe with her stunning performance in Wonder Woman’s first solo movie.
Boutella is up next in the titular role as the The Mummy this weekend, the character of which she describes as the “definition of a feminist” who is “strong, powerful and opinionated.” The great thing for fans of the Kingsman: The Secret Service breakout is that she’ll be back on the big screen opposite Charlize Theron next month in Atomic Blonde, in yet another film where kick-butt female characters are holding the upper hand.
Directed by John Wick and Deadpool 2 helmer David Leitch, Atomic Blonde is building anticipation for the film’s July 28 release by releasing extended “Atomic Summer” chapter clips. Released last month, Chapter 1: Father Figure found Theron’s MI:6 super spy Lorraine Broughton taking down about a half-dozen armed cops with no more than a rope and a pan, along with some near-lethal chops and kicks. The newly-released Chapter 2: The Politics of Dancing, however, doesn’t feature any hyperkinetic action, but rather chooses to take a smoldering, slow burn route where Broughton encounters Delphine (Boutella) at the bar of a bustling dance club.
The clip picks up with Lorraine slowly making her way through the club after an invite from Delphine. Seduction is clearly on Delphine’s mind, as a small kiss between the two escalates into something much heavier – until Lorraine realizes Delphine is packing a weapon.
Given Leitch’s keen directorial sensibilities and the film stellar cast (which also includes James McAvoy, John Goodman, Eddie Marsan and Toby Jones), Atomic Blonde may very well find itself a cult following a la John Wick. As evidenced by The Politics of Dancing clip, Leitch isn’t relying 100 percent on action, but is smartly choosing to build intensity through the ambiguous motivations of characters like Delphine.
Of course, Leitch has the benefit of having Theron as the anchor of Atomic Blonde, who has proven time and again with roles like her Oscar-winning turn in Patty Jenkins’ Monster, as well as George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, that she can play in any genre. She brings complete conviction to every film that she’s in, and with Atomic Blonde, it looks like we’re going to get as much of her alluring subtlety as we are her dominating physical presence. It will be thrilling to see what other complexities Theron brings remaining chapters of Atomic Blonde before the film’s release.
Source: Universal Pictures
- The Mummy Release Date: 2017-06-09 Atomic Blonde Release Date: 2017-07-28
