United Kingdom, July 8 -- Charlize Theron has claimed "guys will get a free ride" in Hollywood.

The 49-year-old actress has hit out at the film industry for double standards when it comes to male and female stars getting greenlit for big budget action blockbusters.

She told the New York Times newspaper: "it's harder. That's known. Action films with female leads don't get green lit as much as the ones with male leads.

"I think the thing that always frustrates me is the fact that guys will get a free ride.

"When women do this and the movie maybe doesn't hit fully, they don't necessarily get a chance again."

She explained that she and Uma Thurman - who star together in new action movie The Old Guard 2 - were "very aware" of the pressure...