Charlize Theron says 'pretty people get turned away first'

Charlize Theron stars in the movie The Huntsman: Winter's War.

Charlize Theron claims attractive actresses are overlooked for "meaty" roles.

The 40-year-old star has suggested "pretty people" in Hollywood are immediately ruled out when casting takes place for heavyweight parts and she has been privy to it happening.

Speaking in the May issue of GQ magazine about gender inequality in the film industry, the Mad Max: Fury Road star said: "Jobs with real gravitas go to people that are physically right for them and that's the end of the story. How many roles are out there for the gorgeous, f***ing, gown-wearing eight-foot model? When meaty roles come through, I've been in the room and pretty people get turned away first."

A scene from the movie Mad Max: Fury Road starring in Charlize Theron.

Charlize herself had to gain 30 pounds in weight and completely overhaul her stunning looks to portray real life serial killer prostitute Aileen Wuornos in 2003 crime drama Monster - a big screen performance which earned her a Best Actress Oscar.

The Huntsman: Winter's War actress has also claimed that women are also made to feel more insecure because of society's pressure on them to stay young looking - although she believes the tables are slowly turning.

She explained: "We live in a society where women wilt and men age like fine wine. And, for a long time, women accepted it. We were waiting for society to change, but now we're taking leadership.

Charlize Theron in a scene from her film Monster.

"It would be a lie to say there is less worry for women as they get older than there is for men. It feels there's this unrealistic standard of what a woman is supposed to look like when she's over 40."

- Bang! Showbiz