Victoria Mahoney opens up about how her friendship with Christopher McQuarrie shaped her approach to directing action films.
Director Victoria Mahoney, best known for helming the highly anticipated The Old Guard 2, recently revealed that her work on the Charlize Theron-led action sequel was significantly influenced by Mission: Impossible 8 director Christopher McQuarrie.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Mahoney shared rare insight into her personal and professional bond with McQuarrie, whom she affectionately refers to as “dear friend McQ.” Their long-running creative discussions helped shape her approach to balancing action and emotion on-screen.
Emotional Depth in Action: McQuarrie’s Lasting Impact
Mahoney praised McQuarrie, a longtime collaborator with Tom Cruise, for teaching her to treat emotional resonance in action sequences with the same importance as the dramatic moments surrounding them.
“What McQ did for me — by way of our geeky spitball discussions that are endless year upon year — is [making sure] you preserve the emotionality in action as much as any other aspect of the drama surrounding the action,” Mahoney shared.
This influence is evident in The Old Guard 2, which blends high-stakes combat with strong character development, showcasing Mahoney’s commitment to storytelling that hits both physically and emotionally.
Why Victoria Mahoney Loves Action-Drama
The filmmaker also revealed her passion for the genre and her creative philosophy.
“One of the things I enjoy most about action-drama is having a little bit of drama buck right up against action and have them both stand on their own,” she explained.
This balanced approach gives the sequel its gripping edge, elevating it from a typical action movie to a more layered cinematic experience.
About The Old Guard 2: Star Power and Returning Favorites
The Old Guard 2 is the sequel to the 2020 Netflix hit that starred Charlize Theron as Andy, the immortal warrior. The new installment reunites fans with familiar faces including KiKi Layne, Veronica Ngo, and introduces new cast members like Henry Golding and Uma Thurman.
With Mahoney at the helm and drawing inspiration from some of Hollywood’s most celebrated action minds, the film promises to deliver emotionally charged action sequences and bold character arcs.
