"Mad Max" gets a spin-off: George Miller brings the story of Furiosa to the screen
Director George Miller is writing and directing another "Mad Max" film. But this time, without the main character Max Rockatansky. At the centre of the story, however, is fan favourite Furiosa. That said, she will not be played by Charlize Theron.
Officially, George Miller's new production has not yet been given the green light by the studio. But all the same, as of last night, we know with certainty that a new film, set in the post-apocalyptic world, will see the light of day.
Director George Miller himself has spoken. We now know who will play Furiosa in the prequel: Anya Taylor-Joy.
A new "Mad Max" starring Furiosa, but without Charlize Theron
Once director George Miller dedicates himself to a project, he almost never lets go. For example, he worked for 30 years on "Mad Max: Fury Road", released in cinemas in 2015. He had plenty of time to come up with an ingenious and complex backstory for each of his film characters.
Imperator Furiosa is no exception. In 'Fury Road', the character was played by Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron. With her hair cut to three millimetres, a single arm and rage in her belly, Theron as Furiosa won over audiences and George Miller alike. The Australian has been working for years on a prequel to "Mad Max", in which Max Rockatansky (already played three times by Mel Gibson and once by Tom Hardy) is not at the centre, but makes way for the Imperator.
George Miller has now confirmed what he had already hinted at in last May: in the prequel, it's all about Furiosa's story and how she ended up in Immortan Joe's (Hugh Keays-Byrne) army. At this point, the fierce warrior is in her early twenties. Given that Charlize Theron is about twice that, she will no longer be able to play the lead.
"It's hard to swallow," the actress confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter; she would have happily played Furiosa once more. This was in fact the original plan. George Miller, as well as The New York Times, wanted to shoot with Theron and use the same rejuvenation technology used by Martin Scorsese in "The Irishman" for Robert DeNiro and co. to do so.
The problem was that the rejuvenated actors didn't convince Miller, known for his interest in special effects. That's why the plan had to be changed: Charlize Theron had to step aside and Anya Taylor-Joy took over the role.
More news: Chris Hemsworth is also on board
In addition to Taylor-Joy, George Miller has revealed two casting names: Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Their roles are not yet known, but rumour has it that they will play mentors who trained a young and wild Furiosa before she became the Imperator we know and who notably freed Immortan Joe's five wives in "Mad Max: Fury Road".
It is not known when the film will be shot, let alone when it will be released in cinemas.
I'm an outdoorsy guy and enjoy sports that push me to the limit – now that’s what I call comfort zone! But I'm also about curling up in an armchair with books about ugly intrigue and sinister kingkillers. Being an avid cinema-goer, I’ve been known to rave about film scores for hours on end. I’ve always wanted to say: «I am Groot.»