It’s official: Victoria Mahoney is now a member of “The Old Guard.” The filmmaker and history-making “Star Wars” second unit director has been tapped to helm the sequel to Netflix’s hit 2020 action pic about a group of immortal mercenaries. According to Deadline, the original’s main cast — Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Veronica Ngo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor — are all set to return as well.
Mahoney will succeed the first film’s director, Gina Prince-Bythewood. “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.”
“Genuinely blown backwards by the collective levels of talent, skill, and savvy that went into carving ‘The Old Guard,’” Mahoney stated. “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 will be serving as producer on “The Old Guard 2,” as she did on the original. Greg Rucka, who created the graphic novel series on which the films are based with Leandro Fernández, will pen the sequel’s script.
“We are beyond thrilled that Vic is joining ‘The Old Guard’ team,” said Theron and her producing partners Beth Kono and AJ Dix. “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.”
One of Netflix’s most popular movies, “The Old Guard” was viewed in 78 million households during its first four weeks of streaming. It was especially lauded for a subplot exploring the centuries-long love story between two male characters. The film nabbed a GLAAD Media Award nomination and an Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture for Prince-Bythewood.
In 2018, Mahoney became the first Black woman to direct on a “Star Wars” project in the franchise’s 40-plus year history. She served as second unit director on “The Rise of Skywalker.” Her other directing credits include feature “Yelling to the Sky” and episodes of “Lovecraft Country,” “Claws,” and “Seven Seconds.” She also helmed the pilot for Ava DuVernay’s upcoming series adaptation of Octavia Butler’s “Dawn.”
Directing Paramount’s “Kill Them All,” a “love letter to 1990s action movies,” and Lionsgate’s “Shadow Force,” an action drama about a couple forced to go on the run starring Kerry Washington, are among the projects on Mahoney’s packed slate.
