Lovecraft Country director signs on to helm The Old Guard sequel

Charlize Theron returns to lead a sequel to Netflix’s surprise action hit The Old Guard, with Lovecraft Country’s Victoria Mahoney signing on to direct.

The Old Guard, Netflix’s action movie about a group of immortal warriors who take it upon themselves to do good throughout the ages, was a huge surprise hit last year. Maybe it was the heady concept based on the comic books by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández. Maybe it was the kinetic, old-school action scenes, or maybe it was the magnetic cast led by Charlize Theron as Andromache the Scythian (you can call her Andy).

Naturally, Netflix is at work on a sequel, with Theron and her castmates — KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngo and Chiwetel Ejiofor — returning for another go. Unfortunately, director Gina Prince-Bythewood is stepping back. “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. “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.”

As she said, Victoria Mahoney will be stepping in. Mohoney directed an episode of HBO’s Lovecraft Country as well as acting as the second unit director on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, making her the first Black woman to direct a Star Wars film. “Genuinely blown backwards by the collective levels of talent, skill and savvy that went into carving The Old Guard,” Mahoney said, according to Deadline. “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.”

Theron also put out a join statement with fellow producers Beth Kono and AJ Dix. “We are beyond thrilled that Vic is joining The Old Guard  team,” they said. “Her passion for these characters and her ambitious vision for the movie overwhelmed us all. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with her.”

There’s no release date for The Old Guard sequel yet, but it’s great to see that it’s moving forward. The first was a fun action movie with an old school edge that put a new spin on the superhero genre, which I think we can all agree is pretty stuffed right now. I welcome anything that has its own take.

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