Charlize Theron on a mission to defy gender norms in 'Atomic Blonde'

"I saw potential in this character," Theron, 41, told Reuters at the Berlin premiere of "Atomic Blonde" on Monday.

"I wanted to explore a woman in this world and have her kind of play with the same set of rules that men get to play in," added the actress, who won an Academy Award for her role as a serial killer in the 2003 film "Monster."

"Atomic Blonde," based on Antony Johnston's graphic novel series "The Coldest City" and out in theatres on July 28, follows MI6's lethal bisexual assassin Lorraine Broughton (Theron) in Berlin in 1989. Broughton is on a mission to recover a list of double agents, in a city simmering with revolution and double-crossing hives of traitors.

Spy movies have been dominated by male leads, such as the "James Bond," "Mission Impossible" and "Bourne" franchise.

Theron, who shows off her physical fighting prowess in the role, said "the skill of this was definitely a challenge. I wanted people to believe that she was that good."

Actress Sofia Boutella, who plays spy Delphine Lasalle, the love interest of Theron's character, said she was "a bit nervous at first" when filming a sex scene with Theron, but that the actress helped her relax.