The guys over at AICN have been digging through In Focus magazine, and discovered a few tidbits about a new Mad Max movie.

Mad Max 4 has been circulating in the rumor mill for years now, but nothing has ever come of it. Back in 2005 we brought you the word that the franchise's creator George Miller was interested in doing it, but since nothing was ever heard again I think just about everyone consigned the idea to the depths of development hell. Now though, Miller says Mad Max 4 is "so prepared". He believes that "there seems to be a lot of momentum for it to get done."

His comments come hot on the heels of an announcement from Mel Gibson that he's done with Mad Max forever. The sometimes alcoholic actor-director wants nothing to do with that movie, or indeed any of his past, iconic, franchise characters. So if there's momentum, none of it involves Mel Gibson. He's the anti-momentum.

George confirms in the In Focus article that Mel has no involvement. He says any rumors that the film would be a prequel focusing on Max's days in the Main Force Patrol are completely false.

So when will it happen? Miller says soon, after he does something else. Wait, that's not soon at all. He doesn't no when it will happen, he doesn't no how it will happen, he doesn't know what it will be when it does happen, but he's certain it will happen.

Doesn't sound very certain to me.

Miller's last directing gig was on 1998's Babe: Pig in the City. Since then, the only time he's gotten off his couch to do anything was to fill a producer role on the upcoming penguin popularity cash-in animated movie Happy Feet. Have another beer George, we'll believe in Mad Max 4 when the first trailer drives through the wall of our collective living rooms.