Alright, action fans, buckle up—Netflix just unleashed the first trailer for The Old Guard 2, and it’s an absolute banger! Dropped on May 8, 2025, this two-and-a-half-minute sizzle reel has us pumped for the sequel to 2020’s badass The Old Guard, hitting Netflix on July 2. Charlize Theron’s back as the immortal warrior Andy, joined by the original squad and new faces like Uma Thurman and Henry Golding. With epic fights, juicy betrayals, and some serious heart, this trailer’s got us counting down the days. Here’s why The Old Guard 2 is about to be your summer obsession.
Andy’s Fighting for Her Life—Literally
The Old Guard 2 jumps right into the fallout from the first film’s big twist: Andy (Charlize Theron) isn’t immortal anymore, and every battle could be her last. The trailer kicks off with her looking worn out, saying, “I’m not what I used to be,” her voice carrying centuries of baggage. She’s still leading her crew—Nile (KiKi Layne), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), Nicky (Luca Marinelli), and Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor)—against a mysterious new enemy that’s got their number. The stakes feel personal, and the action looks intense.
The real gut-punch? Quynh (Veronica Ngô), who broke free from her underwater cage in the first movie’s final scene, is out for blood.
The trailer teases a showdown that’s gonna be brutal, with Quynh’s rage practically leaping off the screen. Then there’s Uma Thurman as Discord, dubbed “The First Immortal,” who’s got a bone to pick with Andy—cue an epic katana duel that’s already got us hyped. Henry Golding’s Tuah, an old friend with secrets, adds some mystery, hinting at answers about their immortality. This isn’t just a fight for survival; it’s a deep dive into what it means to live forever when it’s more curse than blessing.
A Cast That’s Straight Fire
Theron’s Andy is as fierce as ever, swinging her axe like she was born for it, but with a new vulnerability that hits hard. Layne’s Nile is stepping up, owning fight scenes that look next-level. Kenzari and Marinelli’s Joe and Nicky are back with that soulmate chemistry we love, while Ejiofor’s Copley brings shady vibes as their uneasy ally. Matthias Schoenaerts’ Booker, last seen exiled, pops up in tense moments—redemption or more trouble? We’re dying to find out. Ngô’s Quynh, barely a cameo last time, looks like a full-on force of nature.
Thurman and Golding are the shiny new toys. Thurman’s Discord is all cold, calculated menace, and her clash with Theron is a trailer standout. Golding’s Tuah mixes charm with enigma, teasing big reveals. Director Victoria Mahoney, who’s worked on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Lovecraft Country, told Collider she jumped at the chance to tackle this “global, action-packed story with real heart.” With this cast, The Old Guard 2 is ready to deliver the goods.
Mahoney’s Got the Action Dialed Up
Taking the reins from Gina Prince-Bythewood (who’s still producing), Mahoney brings a bold vision. The trailer’s action is unreal—Theron storms a high-tech fortress, guns blazing; Layne flips bad guys like it’s nothing; and that Thurman-Theron sword fight in a neon-lit city? Pure chills. Max Aruj and Ruth Barrett’s score pumps up the intensity, and the visuals feel bigger, with globe-spanning locations that scream blockbuster.
Filming wrapped in September 2022, but Netflix’s internal shake-ups and the 2023 WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes slowed things down, with reshoots in Vancouver last October. Theron told Variety in July 2024 that Netflix’s “leadership changes” caused the delay, but she’s stoked about the final cut, calling it “something special.” The trailer’s slick look backs her up, with fans online losing it over the “crazy fight scenes” and “Thurman vs. Theron energy.” Some worry the five-year gap might cool the hype, but the first film’s 80% Rotten Tomatoes score says this franchise has legs.
Why The Old Guard 2 Is a Big Deal
Based on Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández’s comic The Old Guard: Force Multiplied, the sequel tackles Quynh’s vengeance and Andy’s mortality, setting up a possible third film. Rucka, co-writing with Sarah L. Walker, has hinted at tweaks to the comic’s story, so expect surprises. Producer Marc Evans told Variety in 2023 the ending “screams for a trilogy,” so buckle up for twists. The trailer’s focus on Discord and Tuah opens new doors, digging into the cost of immortality with a fresh spin.
Netflix is going all-in on The Old Guard 2 as part of its summer 2025 lineup, alongside Happy Gilmore 2. Dropping post-July 4, it’s primed to rule streaming charts. With killer action, deep character drama, and a cast that’s pure gold, The Old Guard 2 looks like it’ll top the original.
