The Old Guard (comics) explained

The Old Guard
Creator:Greg Rucka
Leandro Fernández
Origin: (2017)
Graphic Novels:The Old Guard: Opening Fire (2017)
(2019–20)
(2020–21)
Films:The Old Guard (2020)
The Old Guard 2 (2023)
Soundtracks:The Old Guard (Music from the Netflix film)

The Old Guard is a series of graphic novels created by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández and published by Image Comics. It has released over 16 issues from three series. A film adaptation from Netflix and Skydance Media was made in 2020, with a sequel in the works. The series follows a group of immortal soldiers, known as The Old Guard, led by a woman named Andromache of Scythia (Andy) who has been alive for several thousands of years.[1]

Background

The series follows a group of soldiers who have been given the gift of immortality. Led by Andromache of Scythia (whom her comrades call Andy) they ply their trade for those who can find and afford their services. But in the 21st century, immortality is a hard secret to keep, and they learn that there are many fates worse than death.

The Old Guard was named after the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, which was formed in 1784. Rucka wanted the story to be an adventure about invincible characters, but he decided to make them immortal, comparing them to Looney Tunes cartoon characters who are not sidelined by injuries. Rucka said that halfway through the process of creating The Old Guard, he realized it was an attempt to rationalize the necessity of death after his father's recent passing.[2]

Comic series

The Old Guard: Opening Fire (2017)

The Old Guard is the first chapter of the series to be released with five issues on February 22, 2017 to June 21, 2017. The full version was released on August 30, 2017. It was written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Leandro Fernández.[3] A Woman's History Month cover was made by Nicola Scott who became part of the third series later on.

The Old Guard: Force Multiplied (2019–20)

The Old Guard: Force Multiplied is the second chapter of the series and was released with five issues on December 18, 2019 to July 15, 2020.[4] The full version was released on September 16, 2020.[5] [6]

The Old Guard: Tales Through Time (2020–21)

The Old Guard: Tales Through Time is the third chapter of the series and was released with six issues on April 21, 2021 to September 22, 2021. The full version was released on December 15, 2021. Unlike the last two chapters, this series was more of an anthology series made by various writers like Brian Michael Bendis, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Matt Fraction, Vita Ayala, Jason Aaron, David F. Walker, and artists like Valentine De Landro, Nicola Scott, Michael Avon Oeming, Rafael Albuquerque, Mike Henderson, Matthew Clark, and Kano.[7]

Characters

Critical reception

The series has received generally positive reviews, with praise for the premise, artwork, and LGBTQ+ representation, but with some criticism for its pacing. [8] [9] [10] [11]

Film adaptations

FilmU.S. release dateDirected byScreenplay byProduced byMusic byCinematographyEdited byStudio(s)Distributed byStatus
scope=row The Old GuardJuly 10, 2020Gina Prince-BythewoodGreg RuckaDavid Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Charlize Theron, A.J. Dix, Beth Kono and Marc EvansVolker Bertelmann and Dustin O'HalloranTami Reiker and Barry AckroydTerilyn A. ShropshireSkydance Media
Denver and Delilah Productions
Marc Evans Productions
NetflixReleased
scope=row The Old Guard 22024Victoria MahoneyDavid Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Charlize Theron, A.J. Dix, Beth Kono, Marc Evans and Gina Prince-BythewoodMax Aruj and Ruth BarrettBarry AckroydPost-Production

The Old Guard (2020)

See main article: The Old Guard (2020 film). The Old Guard was released on July 10, 2020, on Netflix and has been receiving generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the action sequences and Theron's performance.[12] [13]

In March 2017, Skydance Media picked up the rights to adapt the comic The Old Guard into a film with Rucka's contract stipulated that a major scene highlighting the romance between the characters Joe and Nicky from the comic book must also be in the film adaptation.[14] [15]

In July 2018, they hired Gina Prince-Bythewood to direct with Rucka adapting his comic book to screenplay and Skydance's David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger producing.[16] With a budget of about $70 million, Prince-Bythewood became the first black woman to direct a big-budget comic book film. In March 2019, Netflix picked up worldwide rights to the film and agreed to finance it with Skydance. Charlize Theron joined the film and also co-producing with Beth Kono, A.J. Dix, Marc Evans.[17] KiKi Layne was confirmed to star in the film after Netflix picked up the rights.

The Old Guard 2 (2024)

See main article: The Old Guard 2. It was reported on January 27, 2021 that Netflix had greenlit a sequel.[18] On August 26, it was announced that Victoria Mahoney would replace Prince-Bythewood as director for the sequel. Theron, Layne, Schoenaerts, Kenzari, Marinelli, Ngo, and Ejiofor are to reprise their respective roles from the original movie.[19] In June 2022, Uma Thurman and Henry Golding were cast in undisclosed roles.[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Old Guard is an action blockbuster with historical tragedy in its bones . May 22, 2020 . . June 2, 2017 . en-us.
  2. Web site: The Old Guard: Exclusive first look at Greg Rucka/Leandro Fernandez comic from Image. Darren Franich Updated. August 23. 2016 at 07:26 PM. EDT. EW.com.
  3. Web site: The Old Guard, vol. 1: Opening Fire. Goodreads.
  4. Web site: A Preview of Old Guard: Force Multiplied #1 – Before Charlize Theron and Idris Elba Get to Be In It. Rich. Johnston. September 30, 2019. Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.
  5. Web site: The Old Guard, vol. 2. www.goodreads.com.
  6. Web site: The Old Guard, Book Two: Force Multiplied|Paperback. Barnes &. Noble. Barnes & Noble.
  7. Web site: The Old Guard: Tales Through Time|Paperback. Barnes &. Noble. Barnes & Noble.
  8. Web site: REVIEW: The Old Guard Book One: Opening Fire Needs to Take Its Time. Wendy. Browne. August 26, 2020.
  9. Web site: Review: The Old Guard, Book One: Opening Fire. October 21, 2021.
  10. Web site: The Old Guard Book Two: Force Multiplied Review – But Why Tho?. Charles. Hartford. August 16, 2020.
  11. Web site: ICYMI! THE OLD GUARD: TALES THROUGH TIME 1-6: The Story Of Us (Series Review). Ross. Hutchinson. October 4, 2021.
  12. Web site: The Old Guard (2020). Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. https://web.archive.org/web/20201225234222/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_old_guard. December 25, 2020. live.
  13. Web site: The Old Guard Reviews. Metacritic. July 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200711193300/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-old-guard. July 11, 2020. live.
  14. Web site: Skydance Picks Up Rights to Greg Rucka Comic 'Old Guard' (Exclusive). March 31, 2017. The Hollywood Reporter. en. April 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170401041049/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/skydance-picks-up-rights-greg-rucka-comic-old-guard-990567. April 1, 2017. live.
  15. Web site: Ebiri. Bilge. June 30, 2020. Gina Prince-Bythewood, the Quiet Storm. July 13, 2020. Vulture. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20200712212157/https://www.vulture.com/article/gina-prince-bythewood-the-old-guard.html. July 12, 2020. live.
  16. Web site: Gina Prince-Bythewood to Direct 'The Old Guard' for Skydance. July 25, 2018. Deadline Hollywood. en. July 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180725221745/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/gina-prince-blythewood-directing-skydance-the-old-guard-1202884404/. July 25, 2018. live.
  17. Web site: Charlize Theron & KiKi Layne Comic Book Action Feature 'The Old Guard' Lands At Netflix. February 21, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. en. April 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191030135142/https://deadline.com/2019/02/charlize-theron-netflix-the-old-guard-movie-1202561033/. October 30, 2019. live.
  18. Web site: The Old Guard 2: The Surprise Hit Film Gets An Official Greenlight For New Sequel: Exclusive. Jan 26, 2021 . theilluminerdi.com. May 9, 2021.
  19. Web site: 'The Old Guard 2': Netflix And Skydance Tap Victoria Mahoney To Direct Next Installment As Charlize Theron And KiKi Layne Close Deals To Return. August 26, 2021. deadline.com. August 26, 2021.
  20. Web site: Uma Thurman, Henry Golding Join Charlize Theron in 'The Old Guard 2' . . Kit . Borys . June 10, 2022 . June 10, 2022.