Picture: Netflix
We’re now approaching five years since The Old Guard premiered on Netflix. Yes, five entire years! While it’s felt like an eternity (something only our protagonist is equipped for), we’re just months away from The Old Guard 2 hitting our screens! Here’s our updated look at everything we know about The Old Guard 2 coming to Netflix globally in July 2025.
Led by Charlize Theron, The Old Guard is a superhero action movie that sees her take on the role of Andy, an immortal warrior who has been shaping history for centuries. The film is based on the acclaimed comic book series by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Leandro Fernandez.
After spending quite some time in development and forever in post-production ahead of reshoots in late 2024, here’s everything we know so far about The Old Guard 2:
When was The Old Guard 2 greenlit at Netflix?
We first reported that Netflix was eying a sequel back in January 2021, although official confirmation didn’t come until August later that year—despite Charlize Theron revealing in June that the script was already completed.
As a reminder, The Old Guard was a massive hit on Netflix in 2020 and was originally envisioned as a trilogy. The film’s director previously said:
“I know that Greg Rucka, who wrote the graphic novel and the script, 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 also confirmed during an interview with Variety’s Marc Malkin that both Marwan Kenzari and Luca Marinelli would return.
Netflix officially announced the sequel on August 26th, 2021, posting via their social media channels:
“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
Old Guard 2. Behind the scenes; KIKI LAYNE as NILE, CHARLIZE THERON as ANDY, CHIWETEL EJIOFOR as COPLEY, LUCA MARINELLI as NICKY, MARWAN KENZARI as JOE.
Cr. Eli Ade / Netflix
Alongside the announcement of the sequel came confirmation that several key cast members from the first movie would be returning to reprise their roles. That includes:
- Charlize Theron as Andy
- Kiki Layne as Nile
- Matthias Schoenaerts as Booker
- Luca Marinelli as Nicky
- Marwan Kenzari as Yusuf Alkaysani / Joe
- Veronica Ngô as Quynh
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Copley
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-name 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.
Rounding out the cast are Peter Arpesella, Todd Cattell, and Kamil Nozynski.
Who’s behind The Old Guard 2?
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. Sarah L. Walker is behind the screenplay alongside Greg Rucka, the original writer of the source material.
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.
Theron, AJ Dix, Beth Kono, and Marc Evans are producing.
What will The Old Guard 2 be about?
Officially, the only synopsis that Netflix has released thus far is as follows:
“Andy and her team of immortal warriors return to protect humanity from a formidable new enemy who threatens their existence.”
That said, the second movie is expected to adapt book two of the comic book series, “Force Multiplied.” CBR wrote an excellent rundown as to what happened in the comic (it’s unclear how closely 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.”
What’s the runtime and age rating for The Old Guard 2?
On April 16th, the MPA officially rated the movie R. It received that rating because of sequences of graphic violence and some language. We can also confirm that the official runtime for the movie is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
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 happen.
The movie then spent much of 2022 in pre-production but it was later learned that cameras would finally 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 and Bergamo, Italy, and filmed under 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 used as a filming location.
Pictures: Instagram/X
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.
Of course, that wouldn’t be the end of filming as it turned out. Additional filming was scheduled in September 2024 and took place over the course of two weeks. That additional shooting took place in Vancouver, Canada.
When will The Old Guard 2 be released on Netflix?
At Next on Netflix 2025, the streamer finally confirmed that the long-awaited sequel would arrive on our screens on Friday, July 2nd, 2025. It announced the release date alongside a behind-the-scenes sneak peek video consisting of 40 seconds of the team behind the show working on some of the action sequences for the sequel.
The video description also has a tease! “Go behind the scenes of The Old Guard 2 and get a taste of the insane action coming your way this year—keep your eyes peeled for new faces and one shocking return.”
The Old Guard 3 Already Teased
Even though the second movie hasn’t even been released, producer Marc Evans has already stated that the sequel 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 of the story of Joe and Nicky.”
Are you looking forward to the sequel to The Old Guard on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below.
Rating: R
