This summer season, all of us in quarantine might be looking for a thrilling blockbuster hit, and Netflix’s “The Old Guard” might just be our answer.
Based on a comic book of the same name, the action/adventure takes us across the world with two fierce heroines that constantly play with our idea of immortality. KiKi Layne, known for her breakthrough role If Beale Street Could Talk was ready to toughen up to play “Nile,” a former U.S. Marine.
“It was intense. It definitely was one of the most physically demanding things that I had ever done, but it had to be done. Especially playing Nile, that physicality is so important to the authenticity of who she is and just being able to tell the story in this way. So yeah, I was in the gym doing stunts and choreography and weapons and military tactical run-ins, all of it.”
The action film screams girl power as it not only stars Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne but is directed by highly acclaimed filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood as well. Bythewood, known for classics like Love & Basketball says more women of color need to be present in the action-film circuit.
“We absolutely need some fresh blood up in this genre and I love what different directors have started to bring the last couple years. And honestly, I wanted my turn, I wanted my chance to put my stamp on it. So I was very grateful that Skydance that had this property, they were very intentional on wanting a female director which is incredibly rare.”
The Netflix thriller premiered July 10th and positive reviews suggest many are crossing their fingers for a sequel. Hopefully, the dynamic girl power present will also have a positive influence on action films of the future.
