It’s officially official: The Old Guard 2 is happening at Netflix. As reported by Deadline, the streaming service has lined up the vast majority of the original cast, including Charlize Theron to return. Additionally, a new director will be taking the helm, with Victoria Mahoney stepping in for Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Per the report, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngo and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all set to return alongside Theron. Prince-Bythewood is staying on as a producer. Mahoney gained a lot of notoriety as the second-unit director on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. This opened many doors. Ultimately, she decided to tackle The Old Guard 2. Netflix also confirmed the news on Twitter with the following.
It's official: The Old Guard is reuniting for a sequel that will be directed by Victoria Mahoney! pic.twitter.com/XdWovdBQvf
— Netflix (@netflix) August 26, 2021
“I love The Old Guard and the story and characters I was honored to put into the world. It was exciting to disrupt the genre,” Prince-Bythewood said of her decision not to return. “I have decided not to direct the sequel, but will stay on as a producer. I leave our franchise in good hands as my girl Vic Mahoney takes on this next chapter.”
Here is the synopsis for The Old Guard.
“Led by a warrior named Andy (Charlize Theron), a covert group of tight-knit mercenaries with a mysterious inability to die have fought to protect the mortal world for centuries. But when the team is recruited to take on an emergency mission and their extraordinary abilities are suddenly exposed, it’s up to Andy and Nile (KiKi Layne), the newest soldier to join their ranks, to help the group eliminate the threat of those who seek to replicate and monetize their power by any means necessary. “
“Genuinely blown backwards by the collective levels of talent, skill and savvy that went into carving The Old Guard,” Mahoney said. “I must’ve watched it over a hundred times, and as such, cannot communicate the true measure of my excitement–being invited on The Old Guard journey alongside ferocious badasses. Ever eager to continue pushing the genre for action-loving audiences. Warmly tipping my hat to the world Gina, Charlize, Rucka, Fernández, Skydance, Netflix, Marc Evans Productions, Denver & Delilah Films and the entire Team daringly put forward.”
The Old Guard is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Greg Rucka. While critics were a bit mixed on the first movie, which debuted last year, it performed exceedingly well for Netflix. Prince-Bythewood had previously discussed some of what we might be able to expect from a sequel, should it get the green light.
There is no word yet on how soon production will begin. Though the wheels appear to be in motion now. It’s likely Netflix and Skydance will want to get this going sooner rather than later. There is no official word yet on who will pen the screenplay. Rucka wrote the script for the first movie. It’s likely he’ll at least help with scripting duties this time around as well.
The Old Guard 2 does not yet have a release date.
What do you think? Are you excited about the sequel? Do you like the director change? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
