Later this week, on July 2, Henry Golding’s new movie, Old Guard 2, will have fans at the edge of their seats. But while the Charlize Theron-starred, action-packed release will surely be a treat to Netflix viewers, Golding can’t stop gushing about Theron behind the scenes, too.

The actor shared some sweet words about Theron in a new interview with People. “You know what it is? She leads from the front,” Golding told the outlet. “She’s like a rare commodity in Hollywood.”

According to Golding, Theron’s commitment to the movie, in which she’s also a producer, was impressive. “She is the female counterpart to a Tom Cruise,” Golding compared. “She’s on set first thing in the morning, last at night, and she’s creating what she wants and she’s in there with the action. She’s in there with the choreography.”

“She and Tom Cruise are some of the last of the movie stars,” he added.

Knowing how involved Cruise is with his projects, from his stunt-filled recent movies, including Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the compliment surely goes a long way.

The movie Old Guard 2, which is a sequel to Theron’s movie Old Guard in 2020, follows Theron and Golding as members of a group of immortal warriors fighting against a powerful new enemy. The movie also stars KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts, Vân Veronica Ngô and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Prior to Golding’s sweet words about Theron, Golding stirred the pot during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. “When it’s rumored that two co-stars are clashing on set, there’s usually at least a little bit of truth to it,” Cohen said, before Golding (and Theron!) held up a sign saying “agree.”

Of course, knowing that Golding’s last movie role was with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick on Another Simple Favor, it seems the hint was very much directed at them. “Says on the stars of A Simple Favor,” Cohen pointed out. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Golding responded. Looks like when it comes to drama, Golding is playing coy!

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