- The Old Guard 2 faces lukewarm reviews but sets the stage for a potential trilogy finale.
- Charlize Theron criticizes Hollywood’s gender bias in action cinema.
- Theron reveals the physical toll of her long-standing action career.
After a five-year hiatus, Netflix released The Old Guard 2, continuing the saga of immortal warriors led by Charlize Theron’s Andromache.
Beyond the screen, Theron is addressing real-life battles. In a recent interview, she called out the film industry’s double standards, noting how male action stars are granted multiple chances despite flops, while women are often dropped after one underperforming film.
Beyond Immortality: Charlize Theron Battles Hollywood Bias Ahead of ‘The Old Guard 3’
The Old Guard 2 may not have delivered critically, but it maintained Netflix’s franchise formula: high-concept storytelling, global appeal, and bankable stars. The first film’s 78 million views within a month set a high bar, and if the sequel nears that benchmark, The Old Guard 3 will almost certainly move forward. With its supernatural premise and inclusive cast, the franchise remains a strong fit for international streaming audiences.
Charlize Theron’s role as a leader both on-screen and behind the scenes makes her criticism of Hollywood all the more compelling. She emphasized how the pressure for female-led action films to succeed on the first try remains unjust, especially when men with repeated flops continue to land new opportunities. It’s a reality that speaks to the systemic hesitance in backing women-driven action projects.
Theron also shed light on the physical sacrifices that come with the job. From her debut in Aeon Flux, where a misstep caused a neck injury, to subsequent surgeries and fractures, her career has been marked by intense dedication. Despite the wear and tear, she continues to push boundaries, proving that toughness isn’t gendered—it’s earned.
If Netflix greenlights The Old Guard 3, it will be more than just the end of a trilogy. It would mark a rare moment in cinematic history where a woman not only leads an action franchise but also shapes its legacy through resilience, talent, and unapologetic truth-telling. The trilogy’s conclusion could be Theron’s most powerful message yet.
Charlize Theron isn’t just portraying a warrior—she’s living as one. If The Old Guard 3 happens, it won’t just close a story arc; it will continue Theron’s real-life mission to shift the power dynamics of action cinema.
“A woman is like a tea bag—you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt