‘Tyrant’ teaser hints at Charlize Theron’s boldest role yet in Amazon’s intense thriller

Written and directed by David Weil, ‘Tyrant’ will be set against the backdrop of the high-end culinary world
PUBLISHED OCT 31, 2025
Charlize Theron attends CTAOP's Night Out in Universal City, California (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Rich Fury)
Charlize Theron attends CTAOP's Night Out in Universal City, California (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Rich Fury)

Charlize Theron is all set to cook up a storm in Amazon MGM Studios thriller 'Tyrant.' Renowned for action movies like 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'Æon Flux,' and 'The Old Guard,' to name a few, Theron will be seen in a completely new avatar in a culinary movie. Set against the high-end world of cooking in New York City, the movie is based on a story by David Weil and Cody Behan, and honestly, it exactly looks like Theron's kind of movie. 

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 28: Charlize Theron attends Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Block Party 2025 at Universal Studios Backlot on June 28, 2025 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for CTAOP)
Charlize Theron attends Charlize Theron's Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Block Party 2025 at Universal Studios Backlot in Universal City, California (Image Source: Getty Images for CTAOP | Photo by Presley Ann)

Written and directed by Weil, the project is being produced by The Picture Company's Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona, along with Theron's Secret Menu partners Beth Kono and AJ Dix, and Weil's producing partner Natalie Laine Williams, as per Deadline. Amazon and The Picture Company won the rights after a bidding war in August, fast-tracking development once Theron joined. While Theron will take the lead, another major female role is currently being cast, hinting at two powerhouse performances in the film.

Plot details for 'Tyrant' are being kept under wraps, but the film is described as having shades of 'Wall Street' and 'Whiplash,' set in New York City's high-end culinary world. Director Weil also has several other major projects in motion, including the spec script 'Supermax' at Miramax (with David Gordon Green set to direct), a film adaptation about journalist Evan Gershkovich for United Artists and Edward Berger, and writing 'Extraction 3' for Netflix.

Theron's production company, Secret Menu, also has an ambitious slate of upcoming projects, including the Netflix thriller 'Apex,' co-starring Taron Egerton and directed by Baltasar Kormákur; a Blumhouse limited series adaptation of 'The Quiet Tenant' by Anthony E Zuiker; 'Jane,' a psychological thriller inspired by Philip K Dick's life, written by Jack Thorne and directed by Alfonso Cuarón; and 'Two for the Money,' a heist-themed film directed by Justin Lin and starring Theron. She'll also appear in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' next summer. 

Notably, Theron is also set to act and produce in a family comedy, 'Dance Parents,' with Channing Tatum. Reportedly, Jonathan Levine is set to direct and produce, and Meghan Malloy is writing the script. The project is currently in early development, having attracted multiple bidders before landing at Universal, as per Deadline. While plot details for 'Dance Parents' remain under wraps, the title suggests it will center on the world of young competitive dancers and their overzealous parents. The film reunites Theron and Tatum, who first danced together onstage at the 2013 Academy Awards

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Following the midseason finale cliffhanger, 'Tracker' Season 3 is all set to make a comeback on March 1
54 minutes ago
At the time of writing, there is no official confirmation on 'Steal' Season 2 from Prime Video
13 hours ago
'Fallout' Season 2 Episode 6 completely changes the meaning of ‘bottle caps’ in way we could've never imagined
16 hours ago
First-look images from ‘Invincible’ Season 4 tease brutal new villains, familiar heroes, and a March 2026 return that raises the stakes fast.
19 hours ago
A shocking mid-episode transformation rewrites 'The Beauty', quietly replacing Rebecca Hall, and changing the series' direction almost instantly
20 hours ago
Set to premiere on January 26, 'American Idol' will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, along with judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie
20 hours ago
The 'One Chicago' trio of shows previously released two crossover events back in 2019 and 2025. The next crossover episode will take place in March.
22 hours ago
The upcoming Season 3 of 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' is based on the third Rick Riordan novel, 'The Titan's Curse.'
23 hours ago
The prequel to the 'Legally Blonde' movies, 'Elle', stars Lexi Minetree, Gabrielle Policano, Chandler Kinney, and Zac Looker in key roles
1 day ago
Season 2 finale ended with a confirmation that season 3 will return later this year
1 day ago