When the press tour for A Million Ways to Die in the West kicked off in May 2014, journalists repeatedly pushed Theron to address her dynamic with MacFarlane. Her responses revealed genuine professional respect rather than romantic evasiveness. Speaking to People Magazine, Theron explained that working alongside MacFarlane left an unforgettable mark on her career, remarking humorously that she would remember his wit on her "deathbed."
Theron highlighted the harsh conditions of their New Mexico shoot, where winds reached 50 miles per hour and temperatures fluctuated dramatically. Through those grueling 12-hour days, MacFarlane kept the cast laughing while directing an ensemble that included Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, and Neil Patrick Harris. Theron noted that finding someone who shared her direct, irreverent sense of humor was rare in Hollywood.
Around that same window, Theron sat down with Vogue for a comprehensive profile where she spoke candidly about romance. Far from pining over MacFarlane, she confirmed she was in a committed relationship with Sean Penn. She explained that Penn had been a close friend for nearly two decades before their connection turned romantic in late 2013. The contrast between her real life and the tabloid coverage highlighted just how invented the MacFarlane rumors had been.
