Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez’s graphic novel, The Old Guard, finally makes its Netflix film debut on July 10 – and its impressive cast is as awe-inspiring as its premise. A group of immortal mercenaries, led by Andromache of Scythia (Charlize Theron), shakes up their routine when they meet a newly-awakened soldier named Nile (KiKi Layne).
While The Old Guard started as a five-issue miniseries, there is room in the universe for more comics and more movies if the first does well. In the meantime, the actresses spoke with Screen Rant about why they were drawn to the script and how they developed their powerful onscreen chemistry.
The Old Guard has an interesting blend of mythology and fresh characters. Why did you decide to jump on this project? What were some of the themes that spoke to you?
KiKi Layne: Well, for me, it was just the opportunity to jump into the action genre. It’s something that’s always interested me, but also a genre where I saw a lack of representation for black women. I’m excited to be able to be a part of leading and opening the doors, like, we belong in this genre as well, while still being able to be a part of creating a character that’s still very grounded and very real and relatable – but still get to have fun shooting things and blowing s*** up.
I want to explore way more of this world. I want to see the backstories, I want to see it all. But between your characters, there’s a strong mentor-student relationship that feels very authentic, despite the heightened reality of the film. How did you guys develop such a chemistry?
Charlize Theron: Yeah, I selfishly love that part of the movie the most too. The thing that I really love is that it kind of flips in the third act. The character that KiKi plays, Nile, really becomes that mentor and kind of awakening for my character, Andy, in really understanding the value of everything that she’s kind of neglected and forgotten.
We were lucky enough that our fight team, who were just incredible, made the decision for us that we should probably train together. And we were both here in LA, so we trained together. That was the first time on an action film that I’ve trained with another actor. It was really a gift, not just in the sense that we got to spend more time with each other – which I know really helped us to have more of a chemistry with each other. But it was just really inspiring to have somebody like KiKi. She is so formidable, and there was something about just knowing that she was showing up every single day that just put a real drive in this whole process for me.
It made it fun. It made it fun to not be alone in the gym and to have somebody else, and when it hurt we could sit in a corner and be like, “Oh my God, I can’t sit on the toilet. It hurts so much.”
Key Release Dates
The Old Guard
Release Date:2020-07-10
