Charlize Theron is paying tribute to her ass-kicking predecessors. The Oscar-winning actress is doing press for “Atomic Blonde,” set to bow in just a few weeks. While promoting the spy thriller, the “Mad Max: Fury Road” star recognized the women who helped pave the way towards her toplining an action pic — while also making it clear that Hollywood has a long way to go towards achieving gender equality, both on-screen and behind the scenes.

“I think we would be remiss not to acknowledge Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton,” Theron told Variety, referencing the women who portrayed the protagonists of the “Alien” and “Terminator” franchises, respectively. “We’ve had moments like this, where women really showcase themselves and kind of break glass ceilings. And then we don’t sustain it. Or there’s one movie that doesn’t do well, and all of a sudden, no one wants to make a female-driven film,” she observed. When a film about a man fails, the industry never questions if movies about men are profitable or considers the possibility of not making more movies with male protagonists. But Hollywood is infamous for its double standards — a fact Theron is unwilling to ignore.

“Look, I am ashamed that I’m part of an industry that has never allowed a woman to work with a budget higher than what the budget has been on ‘Wonder Woman,’” she said. “That’s so fucking caveman-like. I am always hoping that this is the movie that’s going to change it and keep it for us,” she explained.

“Wonder Woman” received the highest budget ever given to a live-action film directed by a woman, and has gone on to become the highest-grossing live-action film directed by a woman as well as the highest-grossing film directed solely by a woman (“Frozen,” co-directed by Jennifer Lee, grossed over $1.276 billion worldwide. “Wonder Woman” has taken home over $745 million globally so far.)

“I can’t take on the history of 50 percent of the population just because I’m a woman,” Jenkins said just before “Wonder Woman’s” release, an acknowledgment of the unfair expectations being placed on her — and the Gal Gadot-led film. Jenkins previously directed “Monster,” which starred Theron in an Oscar-winning performance.

“Atomic Blonde” hits theaters July 28, and in the meantime, you can go watch — or re-watch — “Wonder Woman,” which is currently playing.