IMMORTAL COMBAT
CHARLIZE THERON plays an ages-old fighter in a high-octane drama
Genre: Superhero drama
Available: Friday 10 July
Runs: 125min TVSW says: Action with a twist
FROM The Fate of the Furious to Mad Max: Fury Road, Charlize Theron is no stranger to a hard-hitting action film, but her latest performance in Netflix’s dynamic superhero drama The Old
Guard is one of her most physically demanding roles to date.
The film sees the Oscar-winner as Andromache the Scythian, known as Andy, who was born many thousands of years ago and is the leader of an elite group of ruthlessly efficient mercenary fighters, all of whom are immortal and have secretly battled for generations to protect mankind from destruction.
World-weary Napoleonic French soldier Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) and lovers Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), who met during the Crusades, comprise the rest of the Old Guard, while Andy soon takes the newest recruit, US Marine Nile (Kiki Layne), under her wing.
After centuries of fighting, however, the Old Guard are growing jaded.
‘Andy’s become tired and frustrated with her immortality and is reluctant to continue fighting as it doesn’t seem to have made a difference after all this time,’ says Theron, 44.
DANGEROUS MISSION
The Old Guard are roused to action when shady former CIA operative Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) gives them a dangerous new mission that goes badly wrong. After their hidden immortality is threatened with exposure, they have to tackle sinister pharmaceutical executive Merrick (Harry Melling).
With powerful female warriors centre stage and the action set in the gritty modern world, Theron hopes to bring something different to the genre.
‘We wanted this to be an action film that felt fresh and doesn’t sacrifice the heart of the story, with characters and predicaments that we haven’t seen before,’ says the star, who underwent intense training in martial arts, boxing and horse riding.
‘I trained five days a week for about four months,’ she explains. ‘It was tough. But whenever I do stunts or combat,
I want it to be authentic.’