Murder Mystery 2's Director Doesn't Know Why Charlize Theron Is An Executive Producer

Stick around after the end of "Murder Mystery 2" and you'll find a surprising tidbit. No, there's no post-credits scene, but there is the revelation that Academy Award winner Charlize Theron is an executive producer on Netflix's popular whodunit. In fact, the actor has the same credit on the first movie, but audiences that didn't recognize this shouldn't feel bad, as even director Jeremy Garelick didn't realize Theron had a role in the production.  

"To be honest, I don't really know," Garelick admitted after The Hollywood Reporter asked him why "Murder Mystery 2" lists Theron as an executive producer. "I saw her credit right before we locked the movie. I'm like, 'Oh, wow! Charlize is — This is awesome.' Maybe she'll be a villain in the next one." 

Now that Garelick mentions it, having Theron in a potential "Murder Mystery 3" would be a perfect fit. Her addition to the "Fast & Furious" franchise proves that she doesn't need a project to be an award-season contender for her to get involved, so if Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston could get her on board for the threequel, it could be a recipe for success. While Theron has an impressive resume, she has yet to explore the murder mystery genre, so what better project to do so than Netflix's aptly-titled movie series?

While Charlize Theron's role as an executive producer on both "Murder Mystery" movies may come as a surprise to even the sequel's director, her involvement with the series dates back to its earliest inception.

Way back in 2012, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Theron was in talks to star in a project called "Murder Mystery" from director John Madden. The script, written by "Zodiac" scribe James Vanderbilt, was described as "an affectionate deconstruction of an Agatha Christie-style thriller," following an American couple framed for murder during their honeymoon. Sound familiar? The script eventually became the Netflix hit starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, but not before Theron was attached to star. While she ultimately left the project, it seems her involvement was deep enough to snag the actor an executive producing credit.

At the premiere of "Murder Mystery 2," Aniston told Entertainment Tonight that, while there's no word on a potential threequel, if fans respond well to the sequel, Netflix will hopefully greenlight another movie. Even if that were to happen, it's a stretch to assume Theron would be part of the cast, but with director Jeremy Garelick's comments in mind, her casting could be a dead giveaway of the villain's identity.