Andy and the team are coming back!
Although a Netflix release date for The Old Guard 2 is currently pending, a sequel may already be in the works.
Producer Marc Evans told Variety in May 2023: “There’s a conclusion to No. 2 that kind of screams a No. 3, which makes me very thrilled. However, he stopped short of saying it was actually happening.
The Old Guard 2 will hopefully be worth the wait when it eventually premieres on Netflix in 2024, at least if this is any indication. The sequel was supposed to come out this year, but there is no mention of it on the confirmed Netflix schedule for the rest of the year.
Behind the scenes, Gina Prince-Bythewood, who remained on as a producer, has been replaced as director by Victoria Mahoney. But the main cast members returned for another exciting journey in front of the camera.
The sequel was written by Greg Rucka, who also penned the comic book on which the first film was based. He had always seen of the plot as a trilogy, which is possibly why Evans was so sure that there would be a third film.
Here is everything you need to know about The Old Guard 2 before we go too far ahead.
Potential release date for The Old Guard 2: When can we anticipate The Old Guard 2?
As previously stated, as of September 2023, Netflix has not officially announced a release date for The Old Guard 2.
The sequel wasn’t featured when Netflix unveiled its 2023 film schedule in January 2023, so it looks like we might have to wait until 2024.
We assumed The Old Guard 2 would be released in July 2023 because the original film, which was published on Netflix in July 2020, was a big hit. It will, however, likely happen later this year or early next year because there doesn’t appear to be a gap for a surprise arrival.
We do know that the sequel was shot from June to September 2022 in countries like Italy and the UK, so unless any reshoots are necessary, it is virtually set to be released.
Who will be returning in the The Old Guard 2 cast?
In the first film, there was just one significant casualty as Merrick, played by Harry Melling, learned the hard way what happens when you mess with Andy’s gang.
Charlize Theron will play Andy, KiKi Layne will play Nile, Matthias Schoenaerts will play Booker, Marwan Kenzari will play Joe, and Luca Marinelli will play Nicky in the sequel.
At the conclusion of the first film, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Copley, who has since realized his error in judgment, is given the responsibility of making sure the team stays concealed from those who would harm them (such as Merrick).
The reappearance of Ejiofor has also been announced, but it’s not clear if he will play a significant part in the sequel or will merely be an M-like figure on the outside.
As the returning Quynh, it appears that Veronica Ngo will play a significant role in the sequel; however, it is unclear at this time whether she will do so as a friend or foe of the crew.
Noriko, a Japanese-born character played by Quynh, appears in the comics. A different character named Noriko won’t appear in the sequel because the decision to replace it was made after Veronica Ngo was cast.
Veronica declared that she is Vietnamese rather than Japanese when she was cast. Can we accommodate that, [director Gina Prince-Bythewood] said when she reached out to me?”and I responded, “Absolutely,”” Greg Rucka said.
It was truly just a matter of wanting to respect and honor Noriko’s transformation into Quynh, who is now Vietnamese.
Additionally, Micheal Ward, who played the fallen Old Guard member Lykon, might appear more frequently.
In flashbacks from Andy and Quynh’s past together, we witnessed him pass away, but might there be more to his tale? Since he is the only immortal we know of who has passed away, this possibility might be addressed when we learn more about Andy and Quynh’s connection.
Uma Thurman and Henry Golding have been revealed as two fresh faces for the follow-up. We don’t yet know who they’ll be facing off against or if, like Quynh, they’ll be Andy’s team’s ally or enemy.
How does The Old Guard’s conclusion build up The Old Guard 2?
The most important part of the finale occurs in the credits scene, as we’ve covered in more depth here.
Six months after being expelled from the squad owing to his betrayal, we reunite with Booker in Paris. When he arrives at his residence, he is greeted by none other than Quynh, who has miraculously risen from the ocean’s depths.
We just get one line from Quynh’s return, “It’s nice to finally meet you,” so we’ll have to wait till the sequel to find out if she’s for revenge or just wants to be with Andy again.
Force Multiplied, a second Old Guard comic book created by Rucka, likewise begins with Quynh’s return.
To offer an idea of what to expect, Quynh reveals in the comic book sequel that she believes immortality was granted to them to inflict pain on humanity rather than to save it, and she wants Andy to join her in this quest and to become her lover once more.
However, as you wait for the potential sequel, you can read the comic if you want all the details and to find out what happens next.
The fact that Andy is no longer considered to be an immortal is the other significant revelation that will have an effect on the sequel.
When a stabbing wound from an earlier altercation in church fails to heal, she realizes that every battle henceforth effectively could be her last. Andy thinks the coming of the Nile is what has caused this significant transformation.
She continued, “I believe you appeared when I lost my immortality so I could experience it and remember what it was like to feel unbreakable. Remarkable. You reminded me there are people still worth fighting for.”
It’s one of the largest departures from the source material, but it’s a crucial one since it provides a tension that could have been lacking in a film about immortal troops.
That’s pretty much all we currently know about the sequel, but we do know that Theron’s Andy will get a stunning new hairdo. Theron said, “For that, you go with the ol’ mullet. We needed something that felt like time had passed.”
Could a sequel go into greater detail on the reasons each Old Guard member was selected to be immortal as well as the specifics of that immortality? Does Andy now age like a human since Booker thinks he won’t ever see her again?
The scope is there if the sequel wishes to expand on the world as the first film doesn’t fully explore the immortality aspect beyond the special ability it grants the team members.
Has there been any new The Old Guard 2 footage released?
The Old Guard 2 may have finished filming, but if it isn’t due out this year, it will most likely be some time before we see any footage.
You can watch The Old Guard on Netflix.
