MOVIE NEWS – Uma Thurman, star of Quentin Tarantino’s cult classic Kill Bill, says she had no intention of ever returning to martial arts movies after the two-part samurai saga that made her an action icon. But all that changed when a long-awaited Netflix sequel came knocking: Thurman joins Charlize Theron in The Old Guard 2, a role that drew her back to action after years away due to typecasting fears.
Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Thurman discussed the sequel, where she plays the villain Discord. Fallon praised her action star status, but Thurman insisted Theron is the one to learn from:
“I didn’t think I’d be showing anyone how it’s done after seeing Charlize in the first Old Guard. She’s phenomenal. She’s incredible. I thought she was just fantastic. It was such a unique kind of action movie, full of character and depth, and really moving.”
Despite becoming one of cinema’s most iconic action heroes as the Bride in Kill Bill, Thurman deliberately stepped away from the genre to avoid typecasting and pursue other roles:
“Doing The Old Guard 2 felt like dipping my toe back into action. Honestly, after Kill Bill, I didn’t want to end up in a bunch of B-movie action flicks. When you do a film like that, people expect more of the same. So I went and did other things.”
Ultimately, the chance to work alongside Charlize Theron is what persuaded Thurman to return to a big-budget action film:
“This one was different because Charlize was just so epic in the first movie. I thought, I could do this for her – she’s pushing the genre forward, and I’ll support her, fight her, and go toe to toe. It was a blast.”
Asked about a possible third installment, Thurman played coy:
“There are whispers, but let’s leave that to the fans.”
The Old Guard 2 hits Netflix on July 2, 2025.
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