Charlize Theron opens up about The Old Guard 2, the unplanned sequel’s emotional arc, working with Victoria Mahoney, and lingering heartbreak over her Furiosa recasting
Charlize Theron is back as Andy of Scythia in The Old Guard 2, which premieres on Netflix on July 2, despite having never intended to return for a sequel. But after the original 2020 film became one of the platform’s most-watched releases of all time, Theron, along with the creative team, found themselves naturally continuing the story of immortal warriors. The film, directed this time by Victoria Mahoney, brings Andy face-to-face with the past — and the future — in unexpected ways, while also hinting at what could become a larger franchise.
A Sequel Born from Impact, Not Intention
When Gina Prince-Bythewood’s soulful 2020 action-drama The Old Guard closed with a coda showing the resurrection of Quỳnh (Veronica Ngô) — Andy’s long-lost immortal lover — it wasn’t necessarily a setup for a sequel. But the imagery of Quỳnh emerging after centuries of torment was too powerful to leave untouched. “The story is never over for a group of immortal warriors,” says Theron.
In The Old Guard 2, with director Victoria Mahoney now steering the franchise, Andy and her band of eternal fighters confront not only new threats but their own internal evolution — especially Andy, who is no longer immortal. The return of Quỳnh and the enigmatic arrival of Uma Thurman’s character, Discord, present moral and emotional dilemmas that push the team to the brink. And yes, much like the original, this film ends on another cliffhanger.
Theron on the Franchise’s Future: Cautiously Hopeful
When asked about a potential third installment, Theron remained grounded. “Never confident, no,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “One thing I’ve learned in this business is that there are no guarantees, and it’s really gracious of [Netflix] to not have pushed us into another direction. This was always where we wanted to land the film. It’s reminiscent of the first one.”
She adds with candor, “I’m being completely honest when I say that we have absolutely no idea what that [third film] would even look like.”
Up Next: Charlize Joins Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
Theron’s busy summer doesn’t stop with The Old Guard 2. Later this month, she’s heading to set for Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey, where she plays the mythological enchantress Circe. “I feel like I’m going to be the new kid on the block,” she jokes. “I know it’s epic from reading the script, but for myself, I’m only there for two weeks, I think.”
Revisiting the Pain of Furiosa Recasting
Theron also reflected once again on the emotional sting of being recast in George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road prequel, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. In 2020, she had candidly described the experience as “heartbreaking,” and her feelings remain largely the same.
“There’s nothing around [the recasting] that, to me, felt malicious. It was something that just dragged out for too long, and I totally understand it. It still doesn’t make it feel any better,” she admits. “I probably lived in [Furiosa’s] body the longest out of any of my characters, and it was challenging. It was really challenging.”
Though she holds admiration for Anya Taylor-Joy and the 2024 film, the personal attachment to Furiosa — a role that defined an era of Theron’s career — still lingers. “I think Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is absolutely beautiful,” she acknowledges, balancing grace with honesty.
Would a ‘Making-Of’ Fury Road Film Work? Theron Weighs In
With the rise of “making-of” dramatizations like The Disaster Artist, The Offer, and Mank, the behind-the-scenes chaos of Fury Road seems like ripe material. While Theron hadn’t considered the possibility before, she’s game — and even has casting suggestions.
“Yeah, [Mackenzie Davis] is incredible. She’s got the arms,” Theron quips, endorsing her Tully co-star as a potential screen stand-in for herself.
From Netflix’s most-watched action drama to Greek mythology and revisiting iconic roles, Charlize Theron’s journey through 2025 proves she remains as commanding — and introspective — as ever.