The Old Guard 2 was released on Netflix just the other week, continuing the adventures of Charlize Theron as immortal warrior Andromache of Scythia, aka Andy. The movie came out five years after its predecessor. Though reception is divided among fans, it didn't fare well with critics. The sequel also provided little closure as the credits rolled after a dramatic cliffhanger. I like the bold steps that director Victoria Mahoney took, giving us a twinge of hope in a despairing ending, but a third film has not yet been announced, leaving fans a bit anxious.
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, The Old Guard is an action fantasy adaptation that explores the challenges of being immortal and whether it's worth it to spend your eternal life protecting humanity. Though a five-year wait was only two months in the story, fans would rather not wait another half a decade for the next installment. At the time of writing, Mahoney hasn't learned anything about a sequel yet. She told The Hollywood Reporter, “I can tell you that I am not in the room for any of those discussions, but I hope for audiences to have it. I hope for the cast and crew to have it.” She then elaborated on having multiple projects lined up, so The Old Guard 3 would likely be too big to squeeze into her schedule at this time.
Speaking to Variety a couple years back, producer Marc Evans said the ending of the second film "demands" a third. Now we know he was right right. However, The Old Guard 2 was originally supposed to come out that year, in 2023, and now it's 2025. Maybe I still have trauma left over from the incomplete Amazing Spider-Man movies starring Andrew Garfield, but it looks like the future of The Old Guard 3 is in limbo.
The Old Guard was the most-watched movie on Netflix upon release, but will viewers keep coming back? Charlize Theron seems open to the idea of a third film, but she too has no idea whether it's happening. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, she said the two movies were expected to stand alone.
The Old Guard 1 & 2 are streaming now on Netflix. And whenever The Old Guard 3 decides to exit its catacombs, we'll be ready.
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