The Old Guard 2: What’s Delaying the Highly Anticipated Sequel?

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In the midst of the global pandemic and heated presidential elections in 2020, “The Old Guard” was one of Netflix’s standout releases. Originating from the graphic novel by Greg Rucka, this film chronicles a team of immortals, spanning centuries, who are devoted to assisting others. This theme resonated strongly within the current socio-political context. However, when their secret is exposed, they must elude capture and defend themselves, while simultaneously mentoring a new member. Charlize Theron, sporting her best haircut since “Atomic Blonde,” stars as Andromache the Scythian in this film, alongside an impressive ensemble cast including KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, and Luca Marinelli. “The Old Guard” offers a delightful blend of heartwarming moments and gripping action sequences, complete with a suspenseful cliffhanger ending that has left viewers on the edge of their seats for over five years now.

Is there news about Old Guard 2? Actually, it’s quite intricate. When The Old Guard was first released, it garnered an impressive 72 million views within its first month and boasted a strong 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Consequently, it was only natural that, in less than a year, a sequel was announced with Victoria Mahoney set to direct. However, as of 2025, The Old Guard 2 is nowhere to be found — and the reasons behind its delay have been rather puzzling. Despite this, being a seasoned fan who has patiently waited for years after my youthful sufferings as a Sherlock devotee, I remain hopeful about The Old Guard 2. So here’s what we currently know and some speculations about the sequel once it eventually arrives.

What’s Taking ‘The Old Guard 2’ So Long?

As a devoted admirer, I’ve been eagerly awaiting news about The Old Guard 2 for quite some time now. Despite four years of updates, the production timeline has been less than straightforward, primarily due to bureaucratic complexities rather than waning enthusiasm.

In August 2021, Theron announced that we could expect filming for the sequel to commence in 2022, and true to her word, filming was indeed completed that year. However, The Old Guard 2 then entered the post-production stage, where it unfortunately faced its first set of delays.

Theron revealed that alterations in Netflix’s leadership held up the movie for several weeks. To add to our frustration, SAG-AFTRA strikes further impeded the film’s progress in 2023. Despite these obstacles, I remain optimistic and eagerly await the final product.

Initially, it was disclosed that multiple retakes were planned for “The Old Guard 2”. The initial reshoots occurred in October 2024, with further photography scheduled for early summer 2025. This has resulted in the film lacking a release date so far. If things progress rapidly – which is uncommon for “The Old Guard 2” – we might expect to see Charlize Theron and the team back on screen as early as 2026. Despite numerous setbacks and complications, Netflix’s continued investment in “The Old Guard 2” suggests that it will eventually be released, albeit possibly at a later rather than an earlier date.

What Can We Expect From ‘The Old Guard 2’?

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but anticipate the thrilling encounter that awaits us in “The Old Guard 2”. In the concluding scenes of the first film, we learn that an ancient member of Andromache’s (or Andy’s) team, who has been trapped and tormented at the ocean’s depth for centuries, miraculously survives. This revived character will undoubtedly set the stage for a tense face-off between Andy and her former ally turned adversary – a relationship that could have been one of friendship or love, now twisted into enmity.

The anticipated sequel promises a heartrending confrontation, given that Andy is deprived of her immortality and self-healing powers. The graphic novel series by Rucka, the source material for “The Old Guard”, seems to validate this expectation, with the synopsis of its second volume hinting at such a development.

After fighting wars for as long as Andy and her group, their hands have been more than tainted. Now, it’s time to face the mistakes of yesteryears. However, Nile finds it difficult to reconcile with the team, and just when she least expects it, an old acquaintance reappears to test not only Andy’s convictions but also the team’s willingness to continue fighting.

It’s quite possible that The Old Guard 2 will be filled with intense emotional struggles and some genuinely heart-rending scenes. While the action and gore in the first film were undeniably thrilling, what sets this series apart is its deep emotional resonance, which is not commonly found in action movies. The characters in these films are immortal, a gift or burden that leads them into perilous situations to aid humanity, but also leaves them isolated from family, friends, and all but their fellow immortals. Over centuries, they’ve witnessed more than their fair share of terror and bloodshed, which is bound to have a profound impact. Characters like Andy may be haunted by numerous demons, including the guilt of leaving Quynh at the bottom of the ocean.

The unique nature of these conflicts distinguishes “The Old Guard” from ordinary action blockbusters. There simply isn’t another group quite like Andy and her team, a distinction that may stem from the series’ all-female cast. Personally, I can’t wait for their next appearance, regardless of how long we have to do so.

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2025-01-25 19:03