Uma Thurman Swore Off Action for 20 Years, Charlize Theron Just Changed That

Uma Thurman may be best known for slicing and dicing her way through Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” saga. But, the actress recently revealed that she intentionally stepped away from action films for nearly two decades.

Why? Simple. It turns out Thurman didn’t want to become a B-movie bruiser. Meaning she didn’t want to be solely known for doing action films.

“I never really followed “Kill Bill” up with action because I didn’t kind of want to be in a whole bunch of ‘B’ action movies,” she said during a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” 

 Fair enough. Safe to say the comment shed light on a career move that’s puzzled fans for years.

From The Bride to the Break

Before we unpack her return, let’s rewind a bit.

Thurman’s name is practically synonymous with “Kill Bill.” The two-part saga, released in 2003 and 2004 respectively, and directed by her longtime collaborator Tarantino, rocketed her to martial arts movie legend status. Playing The Bride, a betrayed assassin seeking revenge, Thurman delivered iconic swordplay and jaw-dropping stunts. Most of which she spent months training to perfect.

The franchise earned more than $330 million globally, received critical acclaim. It cemented Thurman’s place as a pop culture and action powerhouse. A yellow jumpsuit and Katana? That’s all, Thurman!

Much like Milla Jovovich in “The Fifth Element,” Thurman created a visual legacy that’s burned into the collective memory of an entire generation.

Yet despite that success, she chose to step back.

“When you do “Kill Bill,” you never stop hearing about it,” she told Fallon. “You know, it’s like, ‘Oh, I have to be very careful about what I do next.’ So I did other stuff.”

And she did exactly that. Thurman pursued roles in dramas like “The Life Before Her Eyes,” romantic comedies such as “Burnt,” and thrillers like “Motherhood.” She also made her mark on stage with Broadway performances, including a turn in “The Parisian Woman.” But when it came to action roles? She left that sword hanging on the wall.

At least for a while.

Back in the Fight (Kind Of)

Now, in 2025, Thurman is dipping her toe back into action with “The Old Guard 2,” a Netflix sequel led by fellow genre queen Charlize Theron. But this time, Thurman isn’t the center of the battlefield; rather, she’s taking on the role of the villain.

“It seemed different,” she said of what drew her to the project. “Charlize was just so epic in [2020’s “The Old Guard”]… and so I thought, ‘Well, I could go do this for her in that. Where she’s kind of taking the genre there. I’ll go support her and fight her and battle her out.’”

Despite her reputation for physical performance, Thurman admitted she wasn’t exactly battle-ready.

“Oh, if only I could have trained,” she joked. “I came on to do it kind of at the end. So I had no training. I was like, ‘Oh yeah, a sword. I think I hold it like this.’”

Still, she embraced the opportunity to return to villainy, calling the experience “fun” and much lighter on the pressure this time around. 

So, do we have Theron to thank for the comeback? Sounds like it.

What’s Next for Thurman?

While fans have long speculated about a possible “Kill Bill Vol. 3,” Thurman has been realistic, if a bit regretful, about the odds.

“It has been discussed over the years… I don’t see it as immediately on the horizon,” she said in a 2022 interview on “The Jess Cagle Show.” “I hate to disappoint people. Everybody wishes it would be the case, but I think it’s not immediately on the horizon.”

That said, Thurman isn’t going anywhere. Along with “Old Guard 2,” she’s diving into new territory with the series “Dexter: Resurrection,” starring opposite Michael C. Hall. She’ll play Charley, the head of security for Leon, a character portrayed by Peter Dinklage.

“Michael C. Hall is so amazing,” she told Fallon. “He’s really, really sweet and kind. I know you don’t want to hear that about Dexter.”

“Dexter: Resurrection” will premiere July 11 with two back-to-back episodes, marking yet another exciting turn in Thurman’s versatile career. Other A-listers starring in the series include David Dastmalchian, Neil Patrick Harris, Eric Stonestreet, and Krysten Ritter. 

Action, but Make It Meaningful

Thurman’s extended break from action wasn’t a disappearance; rather, it was a decision. In an industry that often pressures women to cling to youth through relentless genre repetition, Thurman made a deliberate pivot toward projects that challenged her creatively.

So while she may not be crashing through windows or dueling all around town these days, the actress is still a force to be reckoned with! Just on her own terms, of course.

Fans can catch her return to action in “The Old Guard 2,” premiering July 2 on Netflix. Turns out Thurman never really left the fight, she just waited for the right one.

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