Why Charlize Theron Says Megyn Kelly Role Was 'Harder' Than Playing Serial Killer

Charlize Theron revealed her new role as Megyn Kelly proved more difficult than her Oscar-winning performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003's "Monster."

After a screening of the upcoming "Bombshell" in New York on Sunday, Theron -- who portrays the former Fox News broadcaster in the Jay Roach-directed film -- spoke of the two experiences with reporters.

"This was harder," she said of playing Kelly. "She's incredibly well known. I've never played anybody on that level. I've played real people that nobody knows about so there was less pressure when I did those."

Theron even considered passing on the project.

"Maybe there's somebody out there who can do this better than you can," she mused at the time. "But I was just really scared too. I honestly knew her so superficially."

"Bombshell" details the downfall of Fox News' former chairman and CEO Roger Ailes -- who was accused of sexual harassment by over 20 women including Kelly and her co-worker Gretchen Carlson. In the film, Ailes is played by John Lithgow as Nicole Kidman takes on Carlson, with Margot Robbie playing a fictionalized character.

Ailes resigned from the company in 2016 and denied any wrongdoing until his death in 2017.

Back in March, Theron said she felt Kelly was misunderstood by the public during an interview with Variety.

"I didn't know how complicated her situation was and I think for a lot of people, they didn't understand why she didn't just speak up," explained the Oscar winner. "She was in a complicated place and as a human being, I have empathy for that. I don't think a lot of people truly understood that."

Bombshell opens in theaters in December.

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