The Old Guard – Picture: Netflix
It’s nearly been three years since The Old Guard premiered on Netflix. Production wrapped in late 2022, and the movie is expected on Netflix in 2024. Here’s everything we know about The Old Guard 2, also called The Old Guard Chapter Two: Force Multiplied.
Headed up by Charlize Theron, The Old Guard is the superhero movie where she stars as Andy, a warrior who is immortal and has been influencing history for centuries. It’s based on the comic book series by Greg Rucka.
Having been in priority development for quite some time, we’ve finally got an update regarding the future of the movie. So, here’s what we know about The Old Guard 2 with Skydance Media, Denver and Delilah Films, and Marc Evans Productions producing for Netflix.
When was The Old Guard 2 greenlit at Netflix?
We first reported that Netflix was eying a sequel back in January 2021 although confirmation wouldn’t officially come until August that year (although Theron officially confirmed the movie in June).
As mentioned, The Old Guard topped the Netflix charts in 2020 and had originally been envisioned as a trilogy, with the director of the first movie saying:
“I know that Greg Rucka, who wrote the graphic novel in the script, he always envisioned this as a trilogy. I know where the story goes, and it’s pretty great. So if the audience is eager for it, there’s definitely more stories to tell.”
Theron confirmed by talking about the sequel to Variety’s Marc Malkin, saying that the script had already been completed and that Marwan Kenzari and Luca Marinelli would be returning, too.
Netflix themselves would only go on to announce the sequel via their official socials on August 26th:
“It’s official: The Old Guard is reuniting for a sequel that will be directed by Victoria Mahoney!”
The Old Guard – Picture: Netflix
New and Returning Cast for The Old Guard 2
Alongside the announcement of the sequel included confirmation that several key faces from the first movie would be returning, including:
- Charlize Theron as Andy
- Kiki Layne as Nile
- Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker
- Luca Marinelli as Nicky
- Marwan Kenzari as Yusuf Alkaysani Joe
- Veronica Ngo as Quynh
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Copley
STEFANIE KEENAN/GETTY IMAGES FOR CTAOP
Ahead of filming starting, Theron spoke to THR and revealed she’d be donning a new hairstyle for the sequel, which will be dark just as before but this time more like a mullet. When asked about the hairstyle she said:
“We needed something that felt like time had passed, so for that, you go with the ol’ mullet,”
Theron further teased the upcoming sequel in an interview with W Magazine:
“We had always set out to make a sequel, and our creative development around it was always to set it up in a way where we could do it. If it was a huge failure, I’m sure Netflix would’ve been like, “Ah, not doing that.” So it was really lovely that our fan base embraced it and loved it. Now, the pressure is on. We want do something that can be standalone, respect the history of it, but dare to be bold.”
Pictured: Uma Thurman and Henry Golding
On June 10th, 2022, we were among the first to announce that Netflix had cast two big named stars for the sequel.
We’re referring to Uma Thurman, who will play a yet-to-be-announced role. The Oscar-nominated actress is best known for Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, and Batman & Robin. She also starred in Netflix’s Chambers.
The second cast member added was Henry Golding, best known for Crazy Rich Asians, The Gentlemen, and Netflix’s movie, Persuasion.
Slavko Sobin (Papillon) also joins the cast as Konrad.
The Old Guard 2 will change directors and composers
Gina Prince-Bythewood directed the first movie but won’t be returning for the sequel, albeit she’ll remain a producer. She told Deadline in August 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,” adding, “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.”
Instead, the director’s chair is being handed over to Victoria Mahoney, who assisted on the Star Wars franchise.
Victoria Mahoney
On the music front, Film Music Reporter announced in January 2023 that Max Aruj and Ruth Barrett would be scoring the upcoming Netflix movie, notably replacing Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O’Halloran.
Barry Ackroyd is on board to serve as director of photography (cinematographer) on the sequel. He’s best known for 2008’s The Hurt Locker.
What will The Old Guard 2 be about?
The second movie is set to adapt book two of the comic book series called “Force Multiplied.”
Book 2 – The Old Guard Book Cover
CBR wrote an excellent rundown as to what happened in the comic (it’s unclear how close the Netflix sequel will follow the comic), with their overview stating:
“The Old Guard: Force Multiplied brings to an end the high-octane war between Andromache of Scythia and her former lover, Noriko. Andy’s immortals were being hunted as part of a long-term game by Noriko, bitter after she resurfaced from the depths of the ocean.”
An official synopsis gives us a broad overview of what we can expect from the sequel:
“Andromache of Scythia and her band of soldiers are back in this second story chronicling the battles and burdens of their dubious immortality. Nile’s addition to the team has given them new purpose and new direction, but when you’ve got 6,000 years of history at your back, the past is always ready to return—with a vengeance.”
Where is The Old Guard 2 in production?
The aforementioned Variety article stated, “Cameras will start rolling in the first quarter of 2022”. However, that didn’t come to fruition.
We’ve heard that the movie has been in pre-production for much of 2022 and that cameras will begin rolling in June 2022.
That was confirmed on June 13th with Victoria Mahoney Tweeting a photo with the caption “Day 1”.
Day1: #TheOldGuard2 / #TheOldGuard XV pic.twitter.com/JRN3tn1E5I
— Crown Vic (@VictoriaMahoney) June 13, 2022
The sequel was filmed predominantly in Rome, Italy, and is going by the working title of DEVON HOUSE. Other production sources state that some of the sequels will be filmed in the United Kingdom (where some of the first movie was also filmed).
Some of the filming took place at Cinecittà Studios, the largest film studio in Europe. QFiumicino also reports that the movie was filmed on location in Fiumicino and suffered from a case of COVID during the shoot. They also report the production and then moved to the Italian town of Fregenae, where a “forest on stilts” would be set up.
LeccoNotizie also reports that the iconic Lake Como was also used as a filming location.
Clapper board for The Old Guard 2 – drone_arezzo_italy/Instagram
Filming wrapped, according to KFTV, in Rome in late September 2023, with Henry Golding posting on Instagram:
“Rome, you were wonderful… But time to say Ciao! The Old Guard 2 is going to be a banger, can’t wait for you guys to see it.”
Victoria confirmed the wrap with a signed clapperboard on Instagram, stating that filming officially wrapped at 5:40 AM.
When will The Old Guard 2 be released on Netflix?
No official release date for The Old Guard 2 has been released, although, at the Netflix Upfronts in May 2023, the movie was teased as one of the movies coming soon. Indeed, many people attached to the project has the movie listed with a 2023 release.
Now that Netflix has released its Fall 2023 roster, The Old Guard 2 is nowhere to be seen, meaning the movie is now expected to be released in 2024.
The Old Guard 3 Already Teased
Even though the second movie hasn’t even been released, producer Marc Evans has already stated that the second movie will directly set up a third.
“There’s an ending to No. 2 that kind of demands a No. 3, which makes me very happy,” states Evans teasing about the second movie, “You’re going to see more story of Joe and Nicky.”
Elsewhere, Charlize Theron is also expected to reprise her role of Lorraine Broughton in an Atomic Blonde sequel exclusively headed to Netflix. Theron is also attached to produce a sports drama movie from Denver and Delilah Productions about the battle of four women competing in a big wave surfing competition.
Are you looking forward to the sequel to The Old Guard on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below.