In 2024, nearly a decade after the release of Mad Max: Fury Road, filmmaker George Miller turned the spotlight back on the 2015 movie’s breakout character, Furiosa, for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Anya Taylor-Joy inherited the role from Charlize Theron for this prequel chronicling the decade+ leading up to her meeting Tom Hardy’s Max Rockatansky. So now that Furiosa’s been released into the world and can currently be streamed with a (Mad) Max subscription, can we expect to see more Mad Max movies down the line?

Miller talked about this in an interview with Vulture, saying this after he was asked if we can expect more cinematic Mad Max adventures following Furiosa’s critical success, but commercial underperformance:

So George Miller obviously has no problem coming up with ideas on how to continue the Mad Max franchise and even putting some of them on paper (so to speak). It’s just that these ideas aren’t all necessarily worthy of being fully realized. However, there is a specific idea that Miller could see moving forward and already has a drafted script, but it wouldn’t be the next project he tackles. As he told the publication:

In addition to George Miller having his sights set on other professional endeavors, I’ll remind those of you reading that while Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was critically well received, it was a box office bomb. With the prequel making just $168 million worldwide of a reported $173.8 million budget, it’d be understandable if Warner Bros. Pictures is more hesitant to pour money into another Mad Max movie. But it’s not like an impossible prospect, so like the director said, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

As for what this next Mad Max movie would be if it were to move forward, the likeliest candidate would be Mad Max: The Wasteland, which George Miller has been talking about for years. This story would turn our attention back to Max Rockastansky and show what he was up to in the year prior to being taken by Immortan Joe’s forces at the beginning of Fury Road. However, last year Miller also mentioned that he has an idea for a post-Fury Road movie following Charlize Theron’s Furiosa running the Citadel. Maybe that stands a good chance of being made if Miller feels more passionately about it.

Whatever ends up happening, keep checking back with CinemaBlend for any major updates on the Mad Max franchise. In addition to Furiosa, Fury Road and the first Mad Max movie can be found on Max… the streaming service.

Looking over the slate of upcoming Marvel movies, there’s a lot to look forward to, from Captain America: Brave New World arriving a month from now to Avengers: Secret Wars wrapping up The Multiverse Saga in 2027. In addition to these officially-announced entries, dated or otherwise, every now and then there’ll be a rumor or report about an MCU movie that Marvel Studios is secretly developing. World War Hulk has fallen into that category, and there’s even a director who’s being eyed for the project, though I surprisingly have mixed feelings about this choice.

George Miller Is Being Looked At For World War Hulk

Although Hulk has been a relatively consistent presence in the MCU since he was introduced in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, that still remains the character’s only solo movie in this franchise, with Mark Ruffalo only playing Bruce Banner in supporting roles or as part of an ensemble. Well, if World of Reel is to be believed, the goal is to shoot World War Hulk sometime this year. Additionally, the outlet claims that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has reached out to numerous directors for the gig, including Mad Max's George Miller.

In the comics, World War Hulk spun out of the events of Planet Hulk, where the Green Goliath ended up stranded on the planet Sakaar after he was tricked by the Illuminati and banished from Earth because the danger he posed to humanity. Although Hulk set up a good life for himself on that alien world, the ship in which he’d been transported exploded, killing his wife Caiera. Enraged and more powerful than ever, Hulk came back to Earth with his Sakaarian allies in tow and declared war on the Illuminati.

I’d Rather George Miller Direct Thor 5

I want to make it perfectly clear: I do not in any way think that George Miller would make a bad World War Hulk movie. He’s a filmmaker with over four decades of experience who knows how to shoot gorgeous moves, including Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. However, as noted in World of Reel’s article, Miller has previously expressed in directing Thor 5, and it was Chris Hemsworth, who played Dementus in Furiosa, who allegedly arranged a meeting between the director and Kevin Feige.

If I have to choose between Miller directing World War Hulk or Thor 5, I’m picking the latter, no question. I want to see more of him collaborating with Hemsworth, and more importantly, I think Miller would do a great job taking on the God of Thunder following Love and Thunder’s polarizing critical reception. Taika Waititi has already said he won’t be back for Thor 5, so Miller could bring this corner of the MCU back to its roots in Norse mythology and give the movie a tone closer to Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, but without losing all of the humor that’s become associated with Hemsworth’s character since Waititi made Ragnarok.

As for if there’s a legitimate possibility that World War Hulk is indeed being developed, I’m inclined to say yes, or at least I think that we will be getting something Hulk-centric in the next few years. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law ended with Bruce returning to Earth with his son Skaar, but over two years later, we still have no information on where Bruce ended up and how he ran into Skaar. Admittedly, he wasn’t in a vengeful mood when he reunited with Jennifer Walters and the rest of his family, so it’s hard to see how we go from that to World War Hulk, but I’m certainly game to see those dots connected.

If/when the day comes that Marvel Studios announces World War Hulk, we’ll pass that along here at CinemaBlend. Until then, you can stream all of Hulk’s MCU appearances with a Disney+ subscription, and don’t forget that Captain America: Brave New World will feature characters tied to him like Betty Ross, Samuel Sterns/The Leader and Thunderbolt Ross, who will transform into Red Hulk.

Fans of superheroes have had it good for the last couple of decades. Between all the upcoming Marvel movies and upcoming DC movies fans are wanting for very little, but for all the movies that we’ve had, there are some that we’ll never see. One of the more exciting superhero movie concepts of the last decade was the now-scrapped Justice League: Mortal, and now I’m wishing even more that it had happened.

Justice League: Mortal was going to be George Miller’s foray into the superhero genre, and the movie came remarkably close to happening. All the major roles in the film had been cast, which included Mad Max’s Toecutter (and future Immortan Joe) Hugh Keays-Byrne as Martian Manhunter. On Instagram, some images recently dropped showing Keays-Byrne doing what is likely a screen test in full makeup as the character, and it looks awesome.

We had seen concept art of Justice League Mortal characters before, but this is one of few images of what the actual actors would have looked like in their roles. The shot of Hugh Keays-Byrne in the makeup chair are almost frustrating considering he likely went through hours of time in the chair for a screen test that would ultimately lead to nothing. Justice League: Mortal would end up getting shelved and we’ll never see it.

Justice League: Mortal came remarkably close to actually happening. The movie had been fully cast, which included Armie Hammer as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Adam Brody as The Flash, and D.J. Cotrona as Superman. Usually when a movie gets to the casting stage, it’s a pretty sure thing, but that wasn’t the case here.

Reportedly, Warner Bros. wasn’t happy with the script and thought it needed work. Unfortunately, this happened during the 2007-2008 WGA strike, so no work could be done on the screenplay. There was also a need to start filming at a certain time to receive financial rebates from the Australian government. The contracts on the cast lapsed before a script could be completed, the start date was missed, and the movie ultimately never recovered.

Maybe Justice League: Mortal wasn’t going to be the greatest superhero movie ever, but George Miller has a remarkably strong track record as a director. From live-action to animation and from family films to action, Miller has found success in just about everything he’s attempted, so seeing him do his particular take on a superhero movie is an incredibly enticing idea.

It’s not all bad news. Adam Brody and D.J. Cotrona got their chance to play superheroes in the Shazam! movies. George Miller would go on to make Mad Max: Fury Road, which may not have even happened if Justice League: Mortal had been a massive hit. And considering the state that Armie Hammer’s career is currently in, not having him play Batman was probably a good thing in the end. Still, this is a movie I will always wish I had seen.

When George Miller was asked about future Mad Max movies after Fury Road came out he said he had multiple ideas. One of them was a prequel story about Furiosa, which we finally got last week. But now that he’s taken the story back to her beginning, he admits he’s also very interested in what happened after Fury Road ends.

If there was anything that fans of Mad Max: Fury Road were disappointed about when it came to the planned prequel, it was that such a movie would not include Charlize Theron in the role, as it would require a younger actress to play a younger character. But it sounds like George Miller has an idea that could bring Theron back to the Wasteland, as he tells our sister site GamesRadar that he does wonder what happened to Furiosa after Fury Road ends. He said…

It’s certainly an interesting idea. Especially with the potential that, after two movies that saw Furiosa as the hero, we could see her become the villain in a post-Fury Road sequel. As Miller says, the idea is as old as storytelling. Fans would likely not love the idea of Furiosa going down the path of a tyrant, but if it was handled well, and with Miller that’s all but a given, it could be amazing.

We know there is already a script completed for another Mad Max movie, currently titled The Wasteland. There has also been talk about a prequel story for Fury Road antagonist Immorten Joe, though it's unclear if those are the same project. What is clear is that George Miller still sees a lot of potential in the world of Mad Max so we could get a lot more movies if Miller is given the chance.

Unfortunately, as things are looking right now, a future Furiosa movie, if not future Mad Max movies, in general, are looking somewhat unlikely. While the new film got strong notes from critics, and some are calling it the best Mad Max movie so far, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga had a rough opening weekend that, unless it has unusually strong legs, guarantees the movie will lose money during its theatrical run.

While eventual profitability is still possible, the current situation makes WB greenlighting another Furiosa movie seem unlikely. Fans will have to wait and see what the future holds. The idea this could be the end of the entire Mad Max franchise seems unlikely, so maybe seeing Charlize Theron return is possible.

Legendary director George Miller joins the show for the release of his latest entry in the Mad Max franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. The franchise has been cruising for over four decades, and the filmmaker takes us all the way back to the beginning with memories of early, negative reviews and the cultural wave that eventually grew into what it is today.

We discuss some obvious, and not-so-obvious, changes to how stunts and special effects shots are made, watching Road Warrior 30 years later, and more.

Timestamps (approx. only)

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:05:32 - George Miller Interview
• 00:36:25 - ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ Review (Spoiler-Free)
• 00:51:12 - ‘Furiosa’ Spoilers!
• 00:56:42 - Outro

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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga marks the fifth movie in George Miller’s franchise which has produced some of the best post-apocalyptic and dystopian movies ever. It's also the first to not use Max himself in any capacity. The movie's existence opens up the world of Mad Max in a new way that leaves the door very open to more Mad Max movies, and George Miller is certainly not closing the door on that possibility.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival this week and based on early critic response to Furiosa and box office tracking, the movie looks like it will be another hit. The movie is a prequel to the previous Mad Max movie, Fury Road. That movie was a critical and commercial success, setting the bar high for the new film. While George Miller tells Deadline that he’ll need to wait and see how Fuiosa does at the box office following the Furiosa release date next week, if the audience is receptive, he certainly believes that more movies could happen, saying…

We already knew that George Miller had more than one idea for future Mad Max movies that he was working with. There’s a movie that we know was being called The Wasteland which Miller has confirmed has a completed script. Whether that would include Max, or if it’s another prequel or spinoff is unclear. However, Miller says he has ideas for actual Mad Max movies and Deadline indicates that a prequel telling the story of Fury Road villain Immortan Joe is also a possibility.

Certainly, as with every franchise, the next movie is the most important. If Furiosa does well at the box office, it will be a clear indication that the audience is there and wants to see more. If the film struggles, it could mean a change in strategy is needed.

Considering how many movies struggle in a post-pandemic theatrical landscape, the odds could be stacked against Furiosa. Of course, the visual spectacle of Fury Road was what had people talking last time and we could see a lot of people make Furiosa one of the few movies they see in theaters this year.

It’s been almost a decade since Mad Max: Fury Road was released, and while Miller was interested in sequels back then, he was in no rush to make them. He wanted to make other movies after finishing Fury Road, and directed 3000 Years of Longing before Furiosa.

What that means for future Mad Max movies now is that, even if they do happen, we should be prepared that they’re not going to be the next thing Miller does. But if Furiosa is as good as some are saying, then the wait may be worth it.

Mad Max: Fury Road is easily one of the most stunning films to hit the silver screen within the past decade. George Miller’s post-apocalyptic vision is still an excellent action movie, and what partially makes it so great is the chemistry between the leads, Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron. Given that, many were likely surprised when it was revealed years ago that the two A-listers didn’t get along amid production. Various alleged details on the matter have been shared at this point. Now, Miller himself is sharing what he can recollect of the feud between the two actors. 

In the 2015 blockbuster, Tom Hardy played eponymous antihero Max Rockatansky while Charlize Theron played his on-screen ally, Imperator Furiosa. Because of that, the pair worked together quite a bit on the massive undertaking. George Miller, who’s currently promoting the Furiosa prequel, spoke to The Telegraph UK about what it was like working with both of them. The 79-year-old filmmaker described them as being performers who operate in “different” ways. Miller described what exactly he means by that:

It’s hard to say exactly what caused Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy’s beef. However,  co-star Zoë Kravitz would partially chalk it up to the cast and crew being generally isolated together for months in the desert for production. What has been said, though, is that the breaking point for the squabble between the two co-stars happened when Hardy arrived to set three hours late on a particular day. When he finally arrived, Theron allegedly confronted him and began cursing at him. From there, Hardy apparently became “aggressive,” so much so that it led to Theron asking for someone to accompany her at all times when she was on set.

George Miller said during his recent interview that he attempted to remain upbeat amid the drama. It’s for that reason that he ultimately put a more positive spin on it, which involved the notion of life imitating life in some respect. The Oscar winner explained his rationale, sharing the following: 

The Mad Max: Fury Road cast members have commented on their working relationship as well in the years since they filmed the movie. In 2016, Charlize Theron admitted to not getting along with her co-star, though she also surmised that “if we were chum-chum, maybe the movie would have been 10 times worse.” She also said that she didn’t have enough “empathy” for the pressure Tom Hardy was facing. For his part, Hardy expressed regrets, saying that what Theron “needed was a better, perhaps more experienced, partner in [him].” Hindsight is definitely 20/20 and, while what happened on that set years ago can’t be undone, the two stars – and even George Miller – can reflect and learn from it all. 

You can stream the greatness that is Mad Max: Fury Road using a Max subscription. It’ll be a great way to prep for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which opens in theaters on May 24 as part of the 2024 movie schedule.

As the engine roars to life in George Miller’s latest installment of the Mad Max franchise, the upcoming Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, there’s a palpable nostalgia, especially for those who love great action movies. And those feelings don’t only permeate fans but also resonate deeply with one of its stars, Chris Hemsworth. The connection, as unearthed recently, runs deeper than the scorching sands of the dystopian wastelands. In a stunning reveal shared with CinemaBlend, it turns out that Hemsworth's own lineage ties back to the adrenaline-fueled legacy of the original film in the series, and George Miller has the photos to prove it.

CinemaBlend had the opportunity to speak with Chris Hemsworth and his co-star, Anya Taylor-Joy, about their latest action flick. In time, the discussion shifted from the highly anticipated 2024 movie schedule entry to the Optimus Prime performer's personal history. Our own Sean O’Connell mentioned a captivating story recounted by director George Miller about a photograph that's in his possession. The photo features the Thor star’s father at the age of 19, riding with a biker gang. Hemsworth elaborated on the group:

It’s not every day that you find out your participation in a film project was perhaps, in some cosmic sense, always meant to be. But, for the Extraction A-Lister, this project was more than just another role; it was a homecoming of sorts, even if he didn’t know how deeply rooted it was in his family’s adventurous past. The MCU actor continued to tell CinemaBlend:

The serendipity of Chris Hemsworth’s casting in Furiosa is almost cinematic in its own right. In the soon-to-be-released Mad Max franchise spinoff, one of the best cinematic Chrises plays a menacing yet charismatic Wasteland villain, the wild-nosed Dr. Dementus. The Avengers alum has discussed his intense stunt work for the movie notably involving a motorcycle, much like his good 'ole pops. Hemsworth even went as far as calling the making of the movie the “best experience” of his career. 

Naturally, when you cast an accomplished action star like he is, you don't just sideline him. As the unrecognizable Warlord, the Spiderhead star appears set to be at the forefront of some of the film's most exhilarating action sequences, and I cannot wait to check it out. Of course, the first trailer for Furiosa also showcased some remarkable stunts by the lead character, a role portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy (who's taking over for Charlize Theron) -- which she filmed without a license! Needless to say, audiences are going to want to strap in for this one.

It's fascinating to discover the connection between the Hemsworth family and George Miller's cinematic universe as Chris prepares to impress crowds in movie theaters. This connection represents quintessential Australian culture and is as iconic and recognizable as vegemite and meat pies.

You can catch Chris Hemsworth carrying on the family tradition when Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga races into theaters on May 24. You can prepare for the chaos and fun by streaming the previous installment, Fury Road, using a Hulu subscription.

As Furiosa’s place among 2024 movie release dates speeds closer to entering our collective eyeballs, it sounds like we needn't worry about it being George Miller’s last installment in the Mad Max franchise. The filmmaker, who has been behind the science fiction action films since the first entry from 1979 starring Mel Gibson, has shared another prequel idea he has after Furiosa! 

Following George Miller’s fifth Mad Max film, Furiosa, the writer/director apparently is keen on building out his world further with yet another prequel for Fury Road after Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth lead the next installment. Here’s what he said about it: 

While speaking to Entertainment Weekly, George Miller revealed that he has more plans for the franchise, and it has everything to do with focusing the story back on its titular character. As fans of the movies series know, 2015’s Fury Road turned the attention for the first time on another character with Charlize Theron’s Furiosa. Now in Furiosa, Anya Taylor-Joy takes over Theron’s role to tell a 15-year-old “odyssey” about her own path prior to Fury Road. 

Once audiences have had a chance to see that, Miller is planning to pivot back to Mad Max, just a year before the events of Fury Road, to catch fans up on his whereabouts before the events of the 2015 film. It does make one wonder if George Miller would bring back Tom Hardy and other actors from Fury Road in order to make that happen. The 2015 cast was absolutely stacked, even including the likes of Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keough and Courtney Eaton. Would any of them return for this storyline?

Tom Hardy just finished his three-film role in the Venom movies, so it seems like the perfect time for the actor to return to one of his famous roles from the past. Though it does feel like Charlize Theron should get a chance to resume her role then as Furiosa as well in that case since she really was the core character to Fury Road and has already been recast for Furiosa. 

Whatever George Miller has in mind for Mad Max has me intrigued and it's exciting to hear the filmmaker hasn’t run out of ideas yet for the franchise over 45 years later. You can check out CinemaBlend’s reaction to the first footage to Furiosa ahead of the movie’s release on May 24.  

George Miller is easily one of the greatest filmmakers of our time, as he possesses the ability to craft stunning fictional worlds that are inhabited by intriguing characters. That’s especially been true with his Mad Max franchise, which is expanding this year with the Furiosa spinoff. For that flick, he has two capable leads in the forms of Anya Taylor-Joy (who plays the eponymous role) and Chris Hemsworth, who portrays the devious Warlord Dementus. Both are skilled performers, but you might be wondering what exactly made them right for these particular roles. Well, Miller himself has provided some thoughtful answers on that front. 

The 79-year-old Oscar-winning director discussed his latest feature while appearing at this year’s CinemaCon, where CinemaBlend is among those present. While there, he discussed the two A-listers he was able to work with on the highly anticipated 2024 movie schedule entry. George Miller called both stars “superb,” before shedding some light on the decision to cast Anya Taylor-Joy as his badass protagonist. Apparently, Miller’s decision to cast her was in part due to her performance in another impressive flick from the past few years: 

Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho was well received, and a number of those positive reviews highlighted Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance. If you’re like me, you’re probably in agreement with the Babe helmer’s assessment of Taylor-Joy’s talent. I’m also not surprised to hear how “disciplined” she is. After all, she did brave the elements while filming Robert Eggers’ The Northman. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the actress is looking to put her own awesome stamp on the role of Furiosa while following in the footsteps of Charlize Theron, who she hasn’t contacted, as far as we know. 

Meanwhile, Chris Hemsworth will breathe fresh life into the despicable Dementus. We all know what the Avengers alum brings when it comes to physicality, and Hemsworth has described his Furiosa stunt work, which seemingly involves his villain’s awesome motorcycle. However, based on what his fellow Aussie George Miller said about him, the actor brought more to the role than his rippling muscles and experience with action scenes:

Considering the shrewd casting decisions George Miller has made in the past, I certainly wouldn’t bet against him with the hirings of Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth. Plus, what the public has seen of them in the roles thus far via the Furiosa trailers has been great. I don’t know about you, but I’m incredibly excited to see what they manage to add to the complex tapestry of interconnected Mad Max movies.

You can see what they bring to the table when Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga finally opens in theaters on May 24. And prepare yourself for the flick by grabbing an Apple TV+ subscription and streaming Mad Max: Fury Road.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is not going to be a typical entry from the sci-fi/action franchise. While the previous four films are narratives designed akin to stories told around a campfire in the post-apocalyptic wasteland, the upcoming 2024 movie is the first to specifically build on in-continuity elements – shifting the focus to Charlize Theron's character from Mad Max: Fury Road and play out her origin. Because of this, fans are already well-braced for the feature to be a different kind of cinematic experience than its predecessors in the canon, but now a new revelation has unveiled another special way that the blockbuster will differentiate itself: the story unfolds over the course of a decade-and-a-half.

The latest issue of Empire features an interview with writer/director George Miller, and the Australian filmmaker notes that Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will follow Anya Taylor-Joy as the titular character through 15 years of her life. As noted by Miller, it makes the narrative much different than what audiences first witnessed nearly a decade ago in Mad Max: Fury Road, saying,

Mad Max fans got to learn a little bit about Furiosa's backstory in the beloved previous film, as she tells the titular wandering hero about how she was abducted from her home in the Green Place of Many Mothers when she was a child. We know that she eventually becomes a lieutenant from the fascistic citadel leader Immortan Joe, but Furiosa: Mad Max will reveal how she first had to contend with a Biker Horde led by the wild Warlord Dementus (played by Chris Hemsworth). Not much is known about the story beyond those thin details, but anticipation is at extreme levels.

Knowing that the story takes place over 15 years adds a new twist when rewatching the first Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga trailer. One notices that characters' appearances change in the footage, and that could be explained in part by the passing of time:

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is anticipated as one of the most exciting films of the year... and it's getting tantalizingly close. The movie is set to be released for Memorial Day Weekend (on May 24 to be specific), and that's now just about 10 weeks away. I know that's crazy tantalizing, but try to control your drooling – and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more updates about the blockbuster as we count down the days until its premiere.

Some filmmakers require time to find their voice. They have to make a few simply "ok" features before having the skills required to make their masterpiece. But that's not the case with the directors featured on this list. These folks quickly figured out what they could do with a camera, and they produced magic with their first feature.

It's a terribly hard thing to do, but here are 32 directors who made great films on their very first try.

Orson Welles – Citizen Kane

A lot of incredible films are highlighted on this list, but Citizen Kane is special given that in addition to being Orson Welles’ first feature, it’s considered by many to be the greatest movie all time. The hunt for the meaning behind a publishing titan’s last word is endlessly compelling and a fascinating examination of the soul corruption that comes with a rise to power.

Quentin Tarantino – Reservoir Dogs

Before making modern and instant classics like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, the legend of Quentin Tarantino began with the phenomenal Reservoir Dogs. The sharp dialogue, the non-linear storytelling, the tense violence and the needle-drop centric soundtrack all instantly confirmed that Tarantino was a talent to watch.

Jordan Peele – Get Out

It came as a shock when comedian Jordan Peele announced that he was shifting to a new phase of his career, as he wanted to pursue his true passion: directing horror movies. It was hard to know what to make of the decision at the time, but Peele has since established himself as one of the industry’s greatest genre filmmakers, and it all started with the stunning Get Out. It’s scary, layered, and the big third act twist never loses its impact.

Spike Jonze – Being John Malkovich

Spike Jonze wasn’t exactly inexperienced when he took the helm of Being John Malkovich as his first feature, as he had established himself as a genius talent in the world of music videos, but that doesn’t take anything away from his accomplishments. It’s a wild, strange, and perfect execution of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman’s genius and cerebral script, and both the design and cinematography make it unforgettable.

Sidney Lumet – 12 Angry Men

It requires incredible skill to direct a film that almost entirely takes place in a single room and juggles 12 different characters with different perspectives… but there’s a reason why Sidney Lumet is considered one of history’s greatest filmmakers. The basic description of 12 Angry Men doesn’t sound particularly cinematic, but it grips you from the start, and keeps you fascinated throughout – particularly thanks to one of Henry Fonda’s greatest performances.

Joel & Ethan Coen – Blood Simple

Joel and Ethan Coen are masters of crime fiction, and they proved that instantly in the start of their careers as feature filmmakers. Blood Simple is a tense neo-noir that comes with all of the trimmings of the genre – from the chiaroscuro lighting to a brilliant femme fatale turn from Frances McDormand – and M. Emmett Walsh is a force as the relentless Loren Visser.

Rob Reiner – This Is Spinal Tap

Few filmmakers have had runs like what Rob Reiner accomplished in the 1980s/1990s, sequentially making Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery and A Few Good Men, but his genius as a director was first established with 1984’s This Is Spinal Tap: a hilarious rock n’ roll mockumentary widely considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time.

Sam Raimi – The Evil Dead

In the late 1970s/early 1980s, Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell were college students determined to make their first ever feature, and traveled from Michigan to a dilapidated cabin in Tennessee to make The Evil Dead. The production of the film was an absolute nightmare, but the juice was very much worth the squeeze, as the movie exists as a testament to brilliant imagination, and it is an important classic in the history of the horror genre.

Frank Darabont – The Shawshank Redemption

After writing a brilliant adaptation of Stephen King’s novella “Rita Hayworth And Shawshank Redemption,” Frank Darabont actually took a major pay cut so that Castle Rock Entertainment would allow him to make The Shawshank Redemption his directorial debut. This turned out to be a legendary move that has cemented Darabont in cinematic history, as the movie is one of the most beloved of all time and an antidote to cynicism.

John Singleton - Boyz n The Hood

With his directorial debut, John Singleton captured the perspective of an underrepresented audience on the big screen – crafting a Stand By Me-esque coming-of-age story about life in south central Los Angeles. In one of his earliest roles, Cuba Gooding Jr. demonstrates incredible talent alongside Ice Cube and Morris Chestnut, but it’s Laurence Fishburne’s Furious Styles for which the film will always be remembered.

Emerald Fennell – Promising Young Woman

Emerald Fennell made quite an impression in 2020 with the debut of Promising Young Woman – a primal scream of a movie that captures the horrors that women experience in our modern world and comes together as a darkly comedic revenge thriller. Carey Mulligan’s performance is wicked, and it sports a finale that leaves the audience breathless and mind-blown.

Dan Gilroy – Nightcrawler

Jake Gyllenhaal is unquestionably one of the greatest actors of his generation, and Nightcrawler sees him let off the leash to showcase his phenomenal cinematic presence. Dan Gilroy was an experienced screenwriter prior to making his directorial debut, and one can understand why he wanted to make this movie himself: it’s a vicious, Taxi Driver-esque look at crime scene videography and a stunning and cutting commentary on “if it bleeds, it leads” culture in local journalism.

George A. Romero – Night Of The Living Dead

There aren’t exactly a lot of filmmakers who successfully launched an entire new subgenre with their first feature, but that’s exactly what George A. Romero did with Night Of The Living Dead. The zombie film was a shocking standout upon its original release – featuring a Black actor as its lead and a series of nightmarish scenes of horror – and its genius is no less apparent today.

Rian Johnson – Brick

Long before wowing us with his ensemble-driven Benoit Blanc mysteries Knives Out and Glass Onion, Rian Johnson stunned cinephiles as a first-time director with Brick. It’s a stylized neo-noir that stands out with its high school backdrop and young characters, and it dazzles with unyielding tension, unique dialogue, and a terrific third act reveal.

Tom Hanks – That Thing You Do!

Admit it: even just seeing the title of That Thing You Do! has immediately gotten the eponymous song stuck in your head. But on top of that track being two minutes and 50 seconds of peppy greatness, the film is a fantastic tale about a one hit wonder that pops thanks to Tom Hanks’ excellent direction and a delightful ensemble cast.

David Lynch – Eraserhead

It didn’t take long for David Lynch to tell cinephiles what he is all about. The auteur filmmaker established his nightmarish, cerebral sensibilities from the get-go with Eraserhead – which is a confident work from the first time director and paved the road for further masterpieces like Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks.

Amy Heckerling – Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Amy Heckerling would easily be in the Coming-Of-Age Movie Hall Of Fame if Clueless were the only film on her filmography, but it was 13 years earlier that she made one of the genre’s all-time greatest titles as her directorial debut: Fast Times At Ridgemont High. There is so much to love about this film, from the radical Jeff Spicoli, to the drama of the relationship between Stacy and Mark, to the sounds of The Cars’ “Living In Stereo.”

Destin Daniel Cretton – Short Term 12

It’s a remarkable thing when a film, a series of images mixed with sound rapidly displayed to show movement, can touch your soul, but that’s something that Destin Daniel Cretton’s powerful directorial debut does – centering on the staff of a residential treatment facility. In retrospect, the ensemble cast in this one is beyond outstanding (including Brie Larson, Kaitlyn Dever, Rami Malek, LaKeith Stanfield, and Stephanie Beatriz), and their talents are on full display.

Patty Jenkins – Monster

Patty Jenkins’ directorial debut, Monster, is far from a fun cinematic experience, and one actually feels compelled to take a shower after watching it, but it’s a riveting work. Charlize Theron delivers what is arguably the best performance of her career and earned her Academy Award.

Josh & Benny Safdie - Good Time

Cinephiles were thrilled to discover the cinematic heart attack that is Josh and Benny Safdie’s Uncut Gems in 2019, but anyone who watched the brothers’ directorial debut was at the very least mentally prepared for the experience. Starring Robert Pattinson, Good Time is a deeply stressful crime film that comes packed with touches of Of Mice And Men, and it leaves a deep impression on whoever watches it.

Darren Aronofsky – Pi

Darren Aronofsky has a gift for making movies that makes you want to curl up in a ball and cry (see: Requiem For A Dream, Black Swan, mother!), and it’s a mode he hasn’t diverted from since making his feature debut with Pi. It’s a stylistic story of obsession and has one of the most upsetting endings of all time.

John Huston - The Maltese Falcon

There are some films that are held up as the true classics of classic film noir, and right alongside Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, Bill Wilder’s Double Indemnity and Carol Reed’s The Third Man is John Huston’s phenomenal The Maltese Falcon. Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade is an icon of detective fiction, and the twists and turns of the mystery feel as fresh today as ever.

Ari Aster - Hereditary

Ari Aster has quickly become one of the most exciting modern filmmakers making original horror, and that’s in part because audiences are still experiencing nightmares from his directorial debut. A look at both generational trauma and grief, Hereditary is a movie so scary that it would make you feel cold if you were in the middle of the desert, and has more than a few images that end up tattooed on the back of your eyelids as you try to go to sleep at night.

Michael Mann - Thief

Nobody makes crime movies like Michael Mann, and it all started with Thief. It’s a thrilling and captivating look at a talented Chicago criminal who is looking for his way into legitimacy and finds himself fighting forces that try and drag him back into his shady business. The movie features one of James Caan’s best performances, and the talented ensemble includes Jim Belishi, Dennis Farina and Willie Nelson.

Francois Truffaut - The 400 Blows

Valued as an important part of cinema history and the French New Wave, Francois Truffaut’s The 400 Blows is a powerful coming-of-age story starring Jean-Pierre Léaud as Antoine Doinel, a troubled youth who ends up quitting school and turning to thievery, only to be apprehended and thrown in a juvenile detention center. Truffaut is recognized for having created some of the most beautiful films to ever be produced in France, and it all started here.

Jean Luc Goddard - Breathless

Another evocative title that emerged from the French New Wave, Jean Luc Goddard’s Breathless is a visually stunning work of crime and love, with tremendous cinematic innovation, attitude that bleeds off the screen, and an outstanding performance from star Jean-Paul Belmondo in his breakout role.

Barry Jenkins – Medicine For Melancholy

Barry Jenkins first earned widespread acclaim in 2016 for his film Moonlight (which deservingly won Best Picture at the Academy Awards), but not to be slept on is the debut feature he made eight years earlier: Medicine For Melancholy. Starring Wyatt Cenac and Tracey Heggins and set over the course of a single day, it’s a beautiful and emotional romantic drama.

Steven Soderbergh - Sex, Lies, And Videotape

Steven Soderbergh is now recognized as one of the most talented, eclectic filmmakers in cinema, but it all started with Sex, Lies And Videotape – a fascinating romantic drama with brilliant meta levels examining intimacy via camera.

George Miller – Mad Max

Many genre classics have been covered in this list, and now it’s time to dive into one of the greatest action/adventure films of all time. With Mad Max, George Miller takes us to an unnerving not-to-distant future full of violence and chaos, and his unique skills as a filmmaker capturing all that wildness all in camera is what makes this a forever-thrilling experience.

Damien Chazelle – Whiplash

One can read and learn that there is intense competition in performance arts schools, but it’s another thing to live it – and that’s what audiences get to do in Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash. Miles Teller is brilliant as the determined and talented Andrew Neiman, but it’s the Oscar-winning work of J.K. Simmons that makes this outstanding directorial debut exceptional.

Mel Brooks – The Producers

Every legendary cinematic run has to start somewhere, and for Mel Brooks, it was with the brilliance of The Producers. Long before he was shocking with the world with Blazing Saddles and History Of The World Part I, the brilliant comedian unleashed his tale of a Broadway scheme and the insanity of “Springtime For Hitler.”

Jim Abrahams, David Zucker And Jerry Zucker – Airplane!

In the 1980s/1990s, nobody made spoof movies like Jim Abrahams, David Zucker And Jerry Zucker, and they quickly established their special comedic voice with their directorial debut: Airplane! The insane pacing of the jokes and the sheer ridiculousness of everything make this a movie that threatens to choke you with laughter, and there are so, so many quotable lines – many thanks to the deadpan brilliance of Leslie Nielsen.

This list obviously has the potential to grow forever, and it'll be exciting to see who the next big breakout movie directors are. 

Actor Chris Hemsworth has had a super successful career as a movie star. While he’s best known for his ongoing role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he’s also worked with other major IPs. One highly anticipated project coming down the line is George Miller’s Furiosa, which is a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. And Hemsworth recently explained why filming the apocalyptic project was the “best experience” of his career.

Hemsworth became a household name thanks to playing Thor, which has opened the door for plenty of other exciting opportunities. While Mad Max: Fury Road was a troubled set, the 39 year-old actor seemed to have a great time filming the upcoming prequel. Hemsworth spoke to GQ about his time working on Furiosa alongside Anya Taylor-Joy, saying:

Talk about high praise. Considering how many projects Hemsworth has been a part of over the years, it’s saying a lot that the Mad Max prequel was such a great experience. And while Furiosa isn’t expected to hit theaters until next spring, it’s what he feels the most proud of. One can only imagine how the finished product will look.

Chris Hemsworth shared this tidbit about Furiosa while speaking about his upcoming streaming sequel Extraction 2, which will be available with a Netflix subscription. He’s obviously balancing franchises, and moviegoers are to see what he’ll bring to the table in the Fury Road prequel. And at this point, we don’t even know who he is playing in George Miller’s mysterious project.

As previously mentioned, the production on Mad Max: Fury Road didn’t seem quite as enjoyable for the cast and crew. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron famously had a feud, while everyone filmed long hours in the desert. Some actors also couldn’t necessarily see George Miller’s vision, which added to the tension. Although in the end the movie was wildly successful, and even won six Oscars.

But there’s a new cast coming in for Furiosa, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking on the mantle of the title character from Charlize Theron. There will be some big shoes to fill, and I’m eager to see what Miller has up his sleeve this time around. And of course, who Chris Hemsworth is playing.

Furiosa is currently expected to arrive in theaters on May 24th, 2024. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Charlize Theron’s portrayal of Furiosa in George Miller’s Academy Award-winning Mad Max: Fury Road was possibly as crucial to the film’s success as were the titular character of Max and the death-defying action sequences. It was praised as one of the best movies of 2015 and possibly one of the best action movies of all time. It was no surprise to anyone when Miller announced a Furiosa spinoff film. However, there was a bit of heartbreak for Theron, when the director announced he would be looking for someone other than Theron to play the younger version of the one-armed war captain in. The Bombshell actress is now getting honest about Anya Taylor-Joy, who was announced to be taking on the part, not reaching out to her about the role. 

The South African-born actress sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for an interview in which she discussed everything, from loving the more challenging parts of her work to how she feels about not returning to the sand and chrome-covered post-apocalyptic Wasteland envisioned by George Miller. She also discussed her successor in the role of Furiosa. Though Anya Taylor-Joy didn't connect with her to discuss the role, Charlize Theron can understand why. She told THR:

The 47-year-old actress, who is never afraid to speak her mind, is relatively open to future collaborations with George Miller, which might surprise some fans. Mad Max: Fury Road was a notoriously long and grueling shoot with many reported behind-the-scenes blowups. A feud was sparked between the two leads, which, according to stunt doubles, affected the film’s shooting. 

The Monster star doesn’t hold any grudges over Miller’s choice to hire Anya Taylor-Joy to take over the part she originated. As a matter of fact, she later took the opportunity to praise the Witch actress. She continued: 

Though Charlize Theron and Anya Taylor-Joy haven’t officially met, but The Queen’s Gambit star had nothing but respectful things to say about the original Furiosa actress. At the NYC premiere of her new film The Menu, Taylor-Joy made it clear that she had a lot of love and respect for the Fast and Furious star. While she revealed at the premiere that the two have yet to have a conversation, she hopes to have dinner soon to swap “war stories.”

Mad Max: Furiosa will explode on cinema screens on May 24, 2024. Fans of Anya Taylor-Joy can catch the actress in The Menu, which is in cinemas now. In addition, you can check out Charlize Theron’s work in Mad Max: Fury Road, which is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime Video. And to learn more about upcoming films that are headed to theaters, check out our 2023 movie release schedule.

Following Mad Max’s massive comeback with 2015’s Fury Road, George Miller is set to tell another chapter in the post-apocalyptic franchise with his prequel film, Furiosa, where Anya Taylor-Joy will play a younger version of Charlize Theron’s beloved character. With Furiosa’s filming now underway, Miller recently hinted at another Mad Max prequel that he’s also spent time writing as well. 

When speaking to the process of building out the story of Fury Road further with his upcoming prequel, George Miller revealed that Furiosa was actually a movie born during the production process of Fury Road. While they were making the 2015 movie, they felt like they needed backstories for Furiosa, along with many of the other characters in order to explain to themselves and the actors about the world surrounding the movie’s events. While talking about that, Miller went on to say the following: 

During Miller’s conversation with The AV Club, the filmmaker revealed that he has written a story about Mad Max one year prior to the events of Fury Road, and he’s planning to decide what to do with it, likely after Furiosa has been finished. George Miller continued with these words as well: 

Could Tom Hardy’s Mad Max get a prequel film next? It sounds like it’s entirely possible, but George Miller is focusing on Furiosa for the time being. Furiosa will tell the origins of Imperator Furiosa in the span of 15 years, which is vastly different from Fury Road taking place within three days. The movie is also set to star Chris Hemsworth as the film’s villain, with Nathan Jones, Angus Sampson, Tom Burke and Goran D. Kleut also among the cast. 

What’s promising about these upcoming Mad Max concepts is how they were born out of the own filmmakers’ curiosity to build out their world rather than a studio simply greenlighting another Mad Max movie. Perhaps, depending on how Furiosa does, George Miller will decide how he’ll make his Mad Max prequel. Will it remain somewhat of a novel or hit the big screen? 

While we wait for Furiosa, which moved from the 2023 movie release schedule to 2024 following its delays, George Miller’s latest movie is called Three Thousand Years Of Longing. It’s a fantasy film starring Idris Elba as a Djinn who is unleashed by Tilda Swinton’s British scholar character, Alithea Binnie. Three Thousand Years Of Longing is now playing in theaters. 

The famed director of films like Mad Max: Fury Road and The Witches of Eastwick, George Miller is back after seven years for another go in the fantasy realm. Three Thousand Years of Longing stars Idris Elba (in his second movie to hit theaters this month) and Tilda Swinton in the adaptation of the short story "The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye" by A.S. Byatt. Critics have seen the movie and are here to tell us what to expect before it hits theaters August 26.

In Three Thousand Years of Longing, Tilda Swinton plays Alithea Binnie, an academic who happens upon a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers to grant her three wishes. The film’s mind-blowing trailer promises fans the excesses of sex, death, revenge and more, so let’s see what the critics are saying. We’ll start, of course, with CinemaBlend’s review of Three Thousand Years of Longing, in which Mike Reyes rates the film 3 out of 5 stars. He loves the pairing of Elba and Swinton and says this deserves to be seen on the big screen, but the review argues George Miller should have amped up the weird: 

Qina Liu of The Seattle Times is on the same page, with a rating of 2.5 stars out of a possible 4. In what is a “mesmerizing cinematic experience” — thanks to cinematographer John Seale, who also worked with George Miller on Mad Max: Fury Road — this critic could have done without the fourth act:

Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press rates it 3 out of 4 stars and notes that the stories told by Idris Elba’s Djinn are “enchanting, brutal, sensual, grotesque,” and like other critics have said, this team makes it work. From the review:

Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment also finds the film better than average, rating it an 8. The critic says Three Thousand Years of Longing highlights the power of storytelling, but it’s Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba who hold the movie together:

Linda Codega of Gizmodo also speaks of storytelling and the way this movie alternates between the main characters’ conversation and the fantastic centuries-old tales, saying the result is somewhat muddled: 

If this sounds like a movie you want to catch on the big screen, Three Thousand Years of Longing is set to hit theaters on Friday, August 26. You can check out what other movies Idris Elba has in the works, but it will be a while before we see George Miller’s next project. The Mad Max prequel Furiosa started filming in June but isn’t scheduled to hit theaters until May 24, 2024. So in the meantime, take a look at our 2022 Movie Release Schedule to start planning your next trip to the theater.

Stories of djinn, or “genies” as they’re more commonly known, have long represented some of the most fantastical tales of wish fulfillment in fiction. It’s a subgenre of its own, with a wide gamut of efforts catering to both children and adults, extolling the virtues of being careful what you wish for. Co-writer/director George Miller’s Three Thousand Years of Longing skews towards the more mature side of that spectrum, and it’s an exciting grown-up fairytale brought to life with the filmmaker’s aesthetic. However, the finished product could have benefitted from going weirder, as the adaptation of A.S. Byatt’s “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye” feels a bit more reserved than one might expect. 

The mortal that Three Thousand Years of Longing follows is Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton), an academic who happens to come into the possession of a vessel that unleashes our story’s Djinn (Idris Elba). Tasked with granting the standard three wishes, the magical being tells an anthology of stories to the human currently in command of his fate, and that’s where the bulk of George Miller’s film is told. 

Even with these fantastical stories unfolding in great visual detail, Three Thousand Years of Longing doesn’t quite stick the landing, but it manages to put on a hell of a show while trying. 

George Miller’s first movie since Mad Max: Fury Road, Three Thousand Years of Longing is a solid, but slightly disjointed effort.

The heart of Miller’s first narrative since Mad Max: Fury Road exploded onto the screen in 2015, a strong anthological core holds for a majority of the movie. Idris Elba’s Djinn weaves stories for Tilda Swinton’s Alithea that warn her about the powers of his wishes with tales of his past, and it’s here that the novelty of the movie takes hold. 

With Swinton’s character being an expert in storytelling and possessing a very meticulous mind, her seemingly wish-less personality takes glee digging into Three Thousand Years of Longing’s cautionary tales. She challenges Elba’s storyteller throughout the film, and the rapport between the two fuels what unfurls, and vice versa. It isn’t until a shift late in the game that the rhythm of the movie falls apart, splitting the narrative into two almost completely separate pictures. 

The film continues past what felt like a logical endpoint, and George Miller and co-writer Augusta Gore inject some modern commentary into what is essentially the fourth story of Three Thousand Years of Longing’s anthology. If it were laid out a little better in the opening act of the film, the very pointed jabs at the real world could have been a great opportunity to get weird. Instead, certain decisions and plot points that really want to say something about our current state of affairs stick out like sore thumbs, failing to be woven properly into the overall fabric.

 Even with that stumbling present, it’s still a mesmerizing thing to watch, especially with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton holding the fort. 

Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton were made to carry a movie together, and their efforts here gladly prove that point.

The pairing of Elba and Swinton proves to be a tremendous casting call by Three Thousand Years of Longing. Teaming George Miller’s directing prowess with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton’s acting energies is a formula for success on paper, but seeing the results reflect that hypothesis is something that feels like a wish come true for movie-goers. 

It's through Idris Elba’s Djinn that the understated magic of Three Thousand Years of Longing works best. The djinn isn’t a fast talking or sneaky force of unlimited power, but more of a methodical showman. Elba tells each of these stories with pure, enthralling charisma. As far as djinns go, this is one you’d actually want to run across, as he’d do everything he can to make sure you get the most out of your wishes. 

Meanwhile, Tilda Swinton’s Alithea Binnie makes the most out of being a captive audience. Showcasing vulnerability, cunning, and modesty, Swinton's role is one that her fans will definitely recognize as more on the grounded side of her skill set. And yet, just as Idris Elba knows how to command his role as the Djinn, Swinton explores the space of her human companion to beautiful and intriguing effect. 

Despite the odd pacing of the stories presented, Three Thousand Years of Longing is still a lush film with visual excitement and commanding performances.

Warts and all, Three Thousand Years of Longing is a movie that deserves to be seen theatrically. Though the stories may not mesh together as well as one would hope, the visuals and performances fill every corner of the screen. George Miller may not have gone as weird as one might hope, but this is still a film that is very much of a grand and lush scope that’s larger than life. 

If anything, this tale of loss, romance, and the intricacy of wishes stands as a signpost at a very important crossroads. Firmly planted between movies aimed at an adult audience and the spectacle that can still exist in such a medium, Three Thousand Years of Longing shows that huge, colorful epics don’t have to be limited to a general audiences approach. It’s that promise that makes the relative tameness of this movie, especially compared to Mad Max Fury Road, all the more frustrating. 

Alas, there’s always the winning team of George Miller, Idris Elba, and Tilda Swinton to fall back on. Should anything be taken from this exercise, it’s that this is a match made in heaven. Investing in this trio is putting creative minds of great quality together, and it could almost be assured that should they all collide again on another project, it’ll be something else worth taking in at the movies. 

It's been seven years since the release of Mad Max: Fury Road, and director George Miller is now 77 years old. However, based on the brand new trailer for Three Thousand Years of Longing, the man is still making contributions to the world of upcoming movies with the energy of a 20-year-old. It's basically a stream of mind-blowing images, and the full thing can't get here soon enough.

Based on the short story The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye by A.S. Byatt, Three Thousand Years of Longing stars Tilda Swinton as Dr. Alithea Binnie – an academic attending a conference in Istanbul when she has a fantastical encounter. She meets a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers to grant her three wishes, and in order to prove his legitimacy, the magical being tells her stories of his past. Both in look and in feel, Elba's character is way different from the beloved style of the genie from Aladdin that audiences are used to.

Tilda Swinton’s character asks the question, “What does one do with three wishes?” Answering that question is where George Miller’s trademark for crazy energy and colorful worlds comes into play, as we see glimpses of those stories in Three Thousand Years of Longing’s trailer. Everything from Idris Elba’s dust-filled transformation into his Djinn form to a rather curious looking spider creature is thrown at the audience in quick succession.

We’re also treated to extreme visions of every excess you could think of. Sex, death and revenge all look ready to unfold in Three Thousand Years of Longing; and a little bit of mayhem looks to be in store for Idris Elba as well. One accidental sentence with the word “wish” included in its contents is all Tilda Swinton has to do in order to complicate things. For someone so careful about wishes, Dr. Alithea Binnie isn’t immune to the most rookie mistake in dealing with wish-making entities.

If you hadn’t remembered that Miller was also the madman behind the Mad Max series, the sights seen here should prove to be an easy reminder. George Miller isn’t slowing down any time soon, as the Furiosa prequel is on deck to start production in the near future. Should his latest film be any indication, Miller will indeed be running at full speed in the years to come; although there will be some differences between this new chapter and Fury Road.

It’s a beautiful, mind-blowing thing to see in action, and soon enough audiences will get their chance to partake in the full madness that is this picture. The trailer for Three Thousand Years of Longing has officially debuted thanks to the film hosting its world premiere today at the Cannes Film Festival, but cinephiles here in the United States will have to wait a while to see it. (Unlike fellow Cannes star Top Gun: Maverick, which is headed to theaters only a week after Tom Cruise's recent standing ovation.)

Three Thousand Years of Longing will close out summer and begin the fall season when it hits theaters on August 31 (exclusively in theaters). In the meantime, if you’re looking to see what upcoming Idris Elba movies are on the way, you don’t need to make a magical request to gain that knowledge. Just be careful to choose your wishes as carefully as you would your future trips to the movies. 

While the action genre is a tried and true corner of the film world, a few stand out as the best action movies out there. George Miller's 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road is definitely in that category, despite the infamous drama that occurred on the set. And Miller recently revealed a big difference between Fury Road and his upcoming prequel Furiosa. 

The upcoming Furiosa movie will star Queen’s Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy as the title character, taking on the role from Charlize Theron who played her in the 2015 movie. While Theron expressed disappointment in not reprising her role, fans are eager to see what Taylor-Joy will bring to the table. George Miller recently spoke to Deadline about the upcoming action flick, teasing:

Well, there you have it. While we’ll still be exploring a harsh apocalyptic world on Furiosa, audiences will be seeing a very different story than its predecessor. Because unlike Mad Max: Fury Road, this developing action flick will tell a much longer story, moving across over a decade of the title character’s life. And smart money says we’ll see Furiosa get her signature metal arm in the process.

Mad Max: Fury Road followed a story told across just a few days, where Charlize Theron’s character attempts to free Immortan Joe’s five wives from his clutches in a stark desert setting. In doing so she aligned with Tom Hardy’s title character (although the two actors had issues while filming back in the day). But in the next movie we’ll be able to see the backstory that eventually made Furiosa the warrior that we know and love.

While not much is known about the contents of Furiosa, George Miller is definitely assembling a cast that audiences can get behind. Joining Anya Taylor-Joy is none other than Thor himself, actor Chris Hemsworth. It remains to be seen who he’s playing in the upcoming movie.

Furiosa’s backstory ended up being a key aspect to the third act of Mad Max: Fury Road, which is part of why expanding her journey on the big screen is such a solid idea by George Miller. It’s revealed that she was originally a member of the Vuvalini clan, before being kidnapped as a child. It’s perhaps for this reason that recating was so necessary for the highly anticipated prequel.

Furiosa is currently expected to arrive in theaters on May 24th, 2024. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Audiences worldwide have gotten to recognize Chris Hemsworth as a big screen hero. It all started with his breakout role in the opening act of 2009's Star Trek, where he valiantly sacrifices himself to save his starship's crew, and ever since then we have seen him star as characters who saves the day – from his epic run as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, to his turn as Tyler Rake in the Netflix action feature Extraction.

That, however, won't be the case in George Miller's upcoming Furiosa – the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road (one of the best action movies of all time). Rather than once again being one of the good guys, Chris Hemsworth will be playing the central villain in the upcoming feature.

This excellent revelation comes to us from Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road by Kyle Buchanan, the new book about the making of the 2015 blockbuster. According to SlashFilm, producer/first assistant director P. J. Voeten is quoted talking about Furiosa, and while talking about the part played by Chris Hemsworth he revealed that the role is of an antagonist nature in the plot:

I have to admit that I am a bit disappointed that Chris Hemsworth isn't going to be playing the younger version of the utterly terrifying Immortan Joe in Furiosa, but it does make sense when you think about circumstances logically. In 2015, Mad Max: Fury Road's Charlie Theron was about 15 years older than Furiosa star Anya Taylor-Joy is now. As such, the actor playing a younger Immortan Joe should be approximately a decade-and-a-half younger than Hugh Keays-Byrne was. At 38 years old, Hemsworth is 20 years too young for the part (though I would argue that a lot of great things could be done with special effects make-up).

So if he's not playing a young Immortan, what kind of villain can we expect Chris Hemsworth to play in Furiosa? That's a great question with no obvious answer. The Australian hero played a suave and sexy killer in Drew Goddard's Bad Times At The El Royale, so that's certainly on the table – but I would personally love to see him play a raving, sadistic psychotic.

Said to feature a more typical three act structure than being the constant chase that Mad Max: Fury Road was, Furiosa is slowly gearing up to start production, and in addition to Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, the film is also set to star Tom Burke. Warner Bros. has scheduled the film to arrive in theaters on May 24, 2024, and while that's still quite a while away, our anticipation for the project is already at extreme levels.

Many movie fans revere Mad Max: Fury Road as one of the best films of the 2010s. The synergy between George Miller, the cast and the story resulted in a commercial and critical hit. Casting Tom Hardy as the title character was an amazing call on Miller and his crew’s part, but the part of Max Rockatansky almost went to rap music icon Eminem. As surprising as the news is, the Mad Max: Fury Road director explained what led to the rapper not playing the role.

The casting revelation became known from the behind-the-scenes book Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road. The excerpt from Vulture broke down all the A-listers vying for Max, including Michael Fassbender and the late Heath Ledger. As far as Eminem goes, George Miller became fascinated with the rap superstar after seeing his performance in 8 Mile and getting a glowing review from his co-star Brittany Murphy. According to storyboard artist Mark Sexton, things went as far as creating storyboards featuring a likeness of the rapper. However, one small detail kept Eminem from taking the role, according to the Mad Max director:

Being close home seemed to be a priority for the multi-Grammy winner, as he was experiencing a career comeback and raising his daughters. So, his stance made sense but looking back at some of Eminem’s more controversial material involving women, it appeared the film dodged a bullet, according to Mark Sexton:

Mark Sexton was right in assessment. The rapper’s misogynistic lyrics wouldn’t have gelled well with the female empowerment message of the 2015 action film. The move might’ve been viewed as hypocritical by some moviegoers and detractors. It would’ve undermined the message and may have turned off some viewers from seeing the film. As Sexton mentioned, Eminem as Max might’ve changed the subtext of the big-budget road film.

Thankfully, George Miller and his team went with Tom Hardy instead. While Hardy did an excellent job as Max, it couldn’t curtail the behind-the-scenes drama between him and co-star Charlize Theron. Their feud made life on set for the cast and crew difficult, as Theron's stunt double recalled her and Hardy's double having to play in scenes opposite the stars. Years later, the Venom: Let There Carnage star expressed regret over the on-set friction between him and Theron.

It appeared George Miller has moved on, as the Fury Road prequel Furiosa will feature Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa, with Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke attached in unspecified roles. Taylor-Joy was just as excited to tackle the character as fans are to see Furiosa's story. Miller will direct, produce and co-write the spinoff film, so it might be a while before we see Hardy as Max again. If you want to revisit cool visuals, a stellar soundtrack and amazing cast, you can get an HBO Max subscription to watch Mad Max: Fury Road and plenty of other available HBO Max movies.

Mad Max fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since Fury Road decimated its theatrical competition back in 2015. While a direct follow-up wasn’t in the cards, fans are getting something even better: a new Mad Max prequel that delineates Furiosa’s journey to becoming the fierce combatant portrayed by Charlize Theron in Fury Road. Even better? Production has just taken a major step forward after several delays. 

According to The New Daily, several businesses in New South Wales, Australia have been contacted by the production team of Furiosa to prepare for the film’s upcoming shooting schedule. Airbnbs and hotels in the Murrumbidgee River and Broken Hill areas have reportedly been booked by Furiosa location producers as lodging for the movie’s cast and crew. The Hay Caravan Park stated that enough of its campsites and ensuite cabins have been commandeered to house up to 50 Winnebago RVs and trailers. The production team for Furiosa is rumored to number in the 800s, so it looks like they’ll need the space. 

It’s unknown when Furiosa will actually begin filming, but The New Daily estimates that the start date will occur sometime between March and June of this year - provided that the pandemic doesn’t throw a wrench in their plans. Furiosa is set to feature Anya Taylor-Joy of The Queen’s Gambit as a younger version of the titular hero, while Thor star and native Aussie Chris Hemsworth will play an undisclosed role. 

With such major stars in the leading roles, the state of New South Wales is looking forward to a boom in local tourism and sales. Owners of businesses like the Silverton Hotel (an establishment that original Mad Max star Mel Gibson once patronized) are reportedly thrilled to see production of the films return to Australia, crossing their fingers that the film will rehabilitate the area’s economy. Businesses are already hoping fans will converge on the town in the hopes of spotting a major star like Chris Hemsworth or Anya Taylor-Joy - and maybe spend a bit of their hard-earned cash in the process. 

If the box office numbers for Fury Road are anything to go by, the residents of New South Wales have nothing to worry about. The film made roughly $375 million at the global box office and nabbed a remarkable 10 Oscar nominations along the way, including a nod for Best Picture. Even if Furiosa makes only a fraction of Fury Road’s profits, it should still be plenty to support the current denizens of the outback. 

Catch up with Imperator Furiosa by streaming Mad Max: Fury Road on HBO Max. You can also stream the original Mad Max on Amazon Prime Video. And while you wait for Furiosa, you can check out more upcoming movie releases here. 

2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road may have seen Tom Hardy succeeding Mel Gibson in the title role, but it was Charlize Theron’s Furiosa who stole the show. So much so that rather than a Fury Road follow-up being the next Mad Max movie on the docket, we’re instead winding the clock back to explore Furiosa’s origins. The Queen’s Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy has been cast as the younger Furiosa, and it turns out that her upcoming movie Last Night in Soho played a big role in director George Miller selecting her for the prequel.

During a virtual conversation with Last Night in Soho director Edgar Wright for Empire, George Miller revealed that while he’d heard of Anya Taylor-Joy before seeing Wright’s latest feature, that marked the first time he witnessed her acting talents. As Miller recalled to Wright:

Making her big screen debut in 2015’s The Witch, Anya Taylor-Joy has since starred in movies like Split, Glass, Emma and The New Mutants. Still, I suspect there are others like George Miller who haven’t seen any of her movies, or in TV shows like The Queen’s Gambit and Peaky Blinders, and will be seeing her for the first time in Last Night in Soho. Taylor-Joy stars in the next Edgar Wright movie as Sandy, the singer whose body Thomasin McKenzie’s Eloise is put into when she travels back to 1960s London. Last Night in Soho also stars Matt Smith, Terence Stamp and the late Diana Rigg.

Back to George Miller, hearing Edgar Wright effusive praise for Anya Taylor-Joy was enough to convince him that she should audition for the Furiosa prequel. When that time came, Miller had the actress perform a monologue from a 1970s cinematic classic, and he was impressed by what she delivered. The filmmaker explained:

While Anya Taylor-Joy and George Miller still haven’t met in person yet because of the pandemic, they’ve spoken “many, many times now,” and it won’t be much longer before they finally come face to face. The Furiosa prequel is reportedly beginning preproduction in Australia towards the end of the year, and Taylor-Joy’s costars include Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Miller had considered bringing Charlize Theron back to reprise Furiosa, but he ultimately decided that the technology that would have been used to digitally de-age her, as seen in movies like The Irishman, still hadn’t overcome the uncanny valley effect.

Furiosa is set to hit theaters on June 23, 2023, so keep your eyes locked on CinemaBlend for updates on the prequel’s progress. In the meantime, keep track of movies that are arriving sooner with our 2021 release schedule and 2022 release schedule.

George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road continues to be one of the most memorable action films of the past decade. The 2015 film brought back the apocalyptic character, originally played by Mel Gibson, with Tom Hardy taking on the role. Though the real highlight of the Oscar-winning film was Charlize Theron’s Furiosa. Miller is now gearing up to make a prequel about the character and it sounds like Hardy is all on board for the imperator to get even more of the spotlight.

Tom Hardy is reportedly not involved in Furiosa. George Miller’s film will instead go back in time before Fury Road and star Anya Taylor-Joy as a younger Furiosa along with Thor’s Chris Hemsworth and Watchmen’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in undisclosed roles. Ahead of Furiosa getting started in Australia, Hardy shared his thoughts on the next Mad Max movie:

As Hardy told Esquire, the plan all along was for Mad Max: Fury Road to usher in a new era for George Miller’s sci-fi franchise. The Venom actor shared his positive feelings about his short-lived role in the Mad Max films acting as a transition for Furiosa to take the lead. Prior to Fury Road, there were three other Mad Max movies and perhaps it’s time for a Furiosa trilogy.

One bummer of Furiosa is Charlize Theron won’t be involved because George Miller was not in favor of using de-aging technology for his movie. Theron spoke out about the decision last summer, sharing it was a “little heartbreaking” for her to know the character was being passed off to a new actress. Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy, who is 21 years younger than Theron, was cast in late 2020 and is stoked to work alongside George Miller.

Furiosa is expected to be a massive production once it does land in Australia. It’s apparently the “biggest movie ever to be made” in the country, so I’d imagine George Miller is planning some huge developments for the imperator. A Furiosa script was reportedly in the works before Miller shot a single scene of Fury Road, so this is a way planned out story the filmmaker has had on his mind for sometime.

George Miller also shared back in 2019 that he has two more sequel ideas beyond Furiosa, involving Mad Max, so who knows, maybe Tom Hardy could return someday to the character as well. Furiosa is set to come out on June 23, 2023. But before then, Hardy’s next film is Venom: Let There Be Carnage hits theaters this October 15.

Mad Max: Fury Road was one of the biggest movies of 2015. It was not only a box office hit but a critical darling that was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. With that kind of success, a follow-up is far from surprising. But rather than getting another Mad Max movie, the next entry will focus on the other big star of the film: Furiosa, who is getting a self-titled origin story film. Charlize Theron brought Furiosa to life, but Anya Taylor-Joy is set to tell the story of the character's earlier days. And she could not be happier to be working with George Miller.

There are many reasons one could be excited to be playing the lead in Furiosa. It's a starring role in what is sure to be a massive action blockbuster. That action will likely be largely practical in nature, which could be enticing for many performers. Anya Taylor-Joy says she actually is looking forward to the physicality of the movie, but beyond even that, the actress tells Variety she simply is excited to be working with director George Miller...

The original Mad Max movie was George Miller's feature directorial debut in 1979 and the filmmaker has done so much since then. For somebody like Anya Taylor-Joy who (despite her recent success) is still quite young, there has to be a lot that she can learn from Miller's experience. And she certainly sounds eager to learn.

And there's sure to be a lot George Miller has to teach. Over the course of his career he hasn't only made the Mad Max movies. He's also made family dramas and animated films. He's sort of done it all, and he's done almost all of it well. There are few people better one could learn from.

While Furiosa is not expected until sometime in 2023, and thus likely won't even begin filming until some time next year, it's a movie a lot of people are going to have their eyes on. Charlize Theron was the real star that came out of Mad Max: Fury Road and she clearly loved playing the role as well. She's been open about her disappointment that she's not in the in new Furiosa movie. Though she also has nothing but good thigs to say about George Miller, and she says she trusts his decisions regarding the character.

This past December, DC fans saw the legendary villain Maxwell Lord in a big screen blockbuster for the first time in Wonder Woman 1984, but what's interesting to remember from a historical perspective is that we almost saw that particular debut happen about a decade ago. When director George Miller was making Justice League Mortal, his plan was to feature Lord as the central villain, and he even got far enough into the process to hire Jay Baruchel to play the role.

Sadly that film never actually made it into production, but based on recent comments from Baruchel, his version of Maxwell Lord would have been quite freaky.

The actor-cum-filmmaker recently sat down with Variety to discuss his directorial debut, the thriller Random Acts Of Violence, and it was at the end of the interview that he was asked about Maxwell Lord and his thoughts on Pedro Pascal's Wonder Woman 1984 performance. Baruchel couldn't comment on the latter because he apparently hasn't watched the Patty Jenkins-directed DC Extended Universe blockbuster just yet, but he did have some interesting comments that definitely make his incarnation sound different than the one we saw:

It is worth mentioning that there is a point where Pedro Pascal's Maxwell Lord bursts a capillary in Wonder Woman 1984 as an extension of his physical need to grant the wishes of those around him, but beyond that it sounds like Jay Baruchel's version of the character from Justice League Mortal would have been very different – with the fact that he would have had the power of psychokinesis being interesting and a notable deviation from the comics.

Originally announced back in 2007, Justice League Mortal was originally planned as the first ever live-action film about the titular team, and it assembled a massive cast beyond just Jay Baruchel as Maxwell Lord – with D. J. Cotrona as Superman, Armie Hammer as Batman, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Common as Green Lantern, Adam Brody as The Flash, and Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul. The production hit multiple set backs and delays, and the project was eventually cancelled altogether, but Baruchel certainly makes it sounds like it was an awesome thing to be a part of, even for a short time.

Discussing the limited time he had to work on Justice League Mortal and work with George Miller, Jay Baruchel described it like a fantasy – getting the opportunity to really dig into his craft alongside one of the great modern filmmakers. Said the actor/director,

Justice League Mortal will forever just have to live in our imaginations, the idea coming together in our minds through descriptions like these from those who were involved as well as the various pieces of concept art that have leaked out. Perhaps the concept could someday be turned into an animated film, but for now it's just fun for fans to hear details like this.

In late January 2011, a 27-year-old Henry Cavill was cast as Clark Kent/Superman in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, with the summer blockbuster finally premiering in 2013. It was the beginning of the DCEU and a new era for Warner Bros’ comic book movies following Christian Bale’s exit from Batman. It’s now been a decade since Cavill’s life-changing casting and he’s not only still our Superman, he's the lead of Netflix’s The Witcher and Enola Holmes’ Sherlock. The actor has accomplished a lot with his Kryptonian fame, except being part of a Man of Steel sequel.

Everything seemed to stall for Henry Cavill’s Superman following the divisive reception of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. Warner Bros has placed its focus away from the Last Son of Krypton in order to bring audiences fresh projects like Birds of Prey and Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman. But, the actor has not shown signs of giving up on the hero, and there’s a huge fan base behind Cavill coming back caped. In the interest of Cavill’s casting anniversary, let’s discuss who should direct Man of Steel 2.

Zack Snyder

To those following the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement, you’re likely aware of some behind-the-scenes friction between Zack Snyder and Warner Bros on the set of Batman v Superman, along with the personal tragedy that caused him to step away from Justice League, leading to the Man of Steel director’s vision for the DCEU being somewhat compromised. This year ,we’ll finally be able to see what the filmmaker had in mind for his third collaboration with Henry Cavill as Superman when Zack Snyder’s Justice League debuts on HBO Max this spring.

Theoretically, there’s no one more qualified to direct the second Man of Steel movie than Zack Snyder. He conceptualized Henry Cavill’s version of the character and he’d done a good amount of planning past Batman v Superman and Justice League. I’m inclined to wait for his cut of the latter before deciding if I’d officially like to place the future of Man of Steel in this director's hands, because let's be honest, there were some issues. Still, Man of Steel continues to be one of the best DCEU films to date, so maybe it's worth bringing Snyder back.

Christopher McQuarrie

Sure, this is an ironic pick, but not one without serious merit, OK? Christopher McQuarrie is the director of the most recent two Mission: Impossible movies, along with the two upcoming films in the franchise. He’s also the gifted screenwriter behind The Usual Suspects and co-writer on Edge of Tomorrow. McQuarrie worked with Henry Cavill for his iconic mustachioed villain role, which in turn created Mustachegate when the actor was brought back on set for Justice League reshoots. Aside from these connections, McQuarrie has been invested in DC before by pitching Superman and Green Lantern movies. Apparently the studio didn’t like his “original” ideas, but I totally do and would love to see him put his mark on the franchise.

Travis Knight

The Superman story is not an easy one to adapt. Clark Kent is the epitome of a “savior” or god-like hero, often with a straight-edged moral compass, and that can alienate an audience if it's not done right. Some fans have criticized our new Superman for being hollowed out after Man of Steel and lacking emotional depth. This is something that Laika’s Travis Knight could perhaps inject into the franchise if he was looked at to direct. One of the best animated “hero’s journey” movies in recent memory is his Kubo and the Two Strings, and the filmmaker also did the near-impossible after a downfall of the Transformers and made the critically well-received Bumblebee. That's a lot going in his favor for a Superman outing.

Mike Flanagan

Here’s a wildcard. Recently, the creator of the Haunting of Hill House and writer/director of horror movies Oculus, Hush and Doctor Sleep said he’s always wanted to make a Superman movie, so naturally I’m on board. Now I would follow Mike Flanagan anywhere following the work he’s brought to horror fans thus far, but it’s actually a great pick. Some of the best superhero movies we’ve seen in the past few years have come from directors who started off in horror beforehand. Think Guardians of the Galaxy’s James Gunn, Shazam’s David F. Sandberg or Spider-Man’s Sam Raimi. Flanagan is building an incredible resume within his own genre, but I’m really curious where he’d take his visions to the DC world with Man of Steel 2.

Brad Bird

Another pick on the side of lightness and more accessibility for the Man of Steel world after years of dark color schemes for the hero is Brad Bird. The director is best known for his work in Pixar projects, such as The Incredibles movies and Ratatouille, along with his early work on The Iron Giant and more recent live-action projects Tomorrowland and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. Bird has a diverse background in storytelling and would bring a different approach to the hero that we haven’t seen before. Also, it might allow the filmmaker to opt for more gritty content and explore his range out beyond his Disney-ness.

George Miller

Last, but not least, is the visionary George Miller, who has brought us the Mad Max movies throughout his career, including the critically acclaimed Fury Road and the upcoming Furiosa spinoff with Anya Taylor-Joy, Yahya Abdul Mateen and Chris Hemsworth. The filmmaker is an incredibly detailed talent who would be really thoughtful with his version of Superman. As many of us know, Miller was part of the many lost Superman projects years ago when he was working on Justice League: Mortal. Seeing Miller pivot to Kal-El’s story once again for Cavill’s return would be a dream come true. But alas, these are all just playful suggestions compiled to get us thinking about another Man of Steel movie.

What do you think? Are any of these directors on your list for Man of Steel 2 should it happen? Vote for your favorite in the poll below and stick with us here on CinemaBlend. We’ll be covering the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in depth, along with what’s coming next in the DCEU.

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Mad Max: Fury Road fans will have to wait a little longer for its much-anticipated spinoff Furiosa to begin production. This is due to director George Miller finally starting production for his much-delayed fantasy drama Three Thousand Years of Longing. He will be teaming up with Idris Elba and Oscar winner Tilda Swinton to bring the story to life.

Not much is currently known about the film’s plot, but George Miller has said it will center on more interior sets and dialogue compared to Mad Max. Despite being called the "anti-Mad Max," there will still be some action scenes, according to Miller. In addition to the secretive storyline, the supporting cast is being kept under wraps as well.

In fact, the production has already begun in Sydney, Australia with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton set as the film’s leads. Even more surprising is that the film has already been shooting for 20 days of a 62-day production. The film is expected to take a break for Christmas before reconvening in early 2021. The drama is expected to wrap up in early spring with a planned September 2021 release, per Deadline.

But Mad Max fans will be in for a treat as many of Fury Road’s collaborators are part of Three Thousand Years of Longing’s crew. Director of Photography John Seale will be behind the lens despite retiring from filmmaking after finishing the Oscar-winning film. Seale is joined by editor Margaret Sixel, hair and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt and set decorator Lisa Thompson. All, who I might add, won Oscars for their work on the critically acclaimed box office hit. Other returning Fury Road staples include composer Tom Holkenborg (better known as Junkie XL), casting director Nikki Barrett, first Assistant Director P.J. Voeten, stunt coordinator Guy Norris, and Sheldon Wade, who collaborated on the film’s much-talked-about prosthetics.

Along with these Fury Road staples being a part of the fantasy drama, Miller recruited Babe production designer Roger Ford, The Matrix costume designer Kym Barrett and Marvel VFX supervisor Paul Butterworth. The film was announced in 2018 but has faced production and financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production solved this problem by securing outside funding, but that meant the film had to nix filming in London and Istanbul.

Despite having to scale down the production, all isn’t lost as Miller’s producing partner Doug Mitchell described the Sydney sets as being “some of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.” It makes sense as the story spans over thirty centuries.

After filming wraps on Three Thousand Years of Longing, Miller will start production on Furiosa with Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II set to star despite some drama surrounding the re-casting. Like Three Thousand Years of Longing, the Mad Max spinoff will film in Australia. As a Mad Max fan, I know the wait has been trying at times, but given Miller’s illustrious career, Furiosa will be worth it.

Earlier this week, the world of cinema lost a genre legend, as Mad Max franchise fixture Hugh Keays-Byrne passed away at the age of 73. His most recent work as the villain Immortan Joe in 2015’s Mad Mad: Fury Road helped series creator and director George Miller revive his storied franchise for a modern audience, and as a result the prequel film Furiosa is something fans will have to look forward to in the near future. But of course, with the legacy of Immortan Joe inexorably tied to the genesis of this new film’s titular hero, Miller is planning to pay tribute to Keays-Byrne’s legacy, within the movie itself.

At this moment, the connection Furiosa’s narrative will have to the life of Hugh Keays-Byrne, or his memorable Mad Max: Fury Road character, is yet to be seen. While George Miller told IndieWire that it was in the works, there were no specifics disclosed around the project’s content. However, Miller did disclose not only why his presence would be important to this future movie, but also why he loved working with Hugh Keays-Byrne in the first place.

That reminiscence from George Miller above pertains to the first time Hugh Keays-Byrne made a mark on the Mad Max franchise, courtesy of casting the actor in that first 1979 film as the baddie known as Toecutter. One of the instrumental figures in the breakdown of former lawman turned wasteland vigilante Max Rockatansky, then played by actor Mel Gibson, his menace would help carry the film into the history books. Eventually, two more sequels, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome would come to pass, before a huge hiatus would see setbacks and struggles beset the eventual delivery of Mad Max: Fury Road 30 years after what was presumed to be the final film in the series.

Making that sort of impression on a director, and their star making franchise, is pretty impressive. Which makes the fact that 36 years after Mad Max had paired the two together to make history, Mad Max: Fury Road would give George Miller an opportunity to make another unshakable adversary with the help of Hugh Keays-Byrne. Part of the reason the actor was cast as Immortan Joe was because of the villainy that Keays-Byrne could naturally exude. The other part came from special gifts that Miller recognized in his remarks below:

Reading George Miller’s memories of what made Hugh Keays-Byrne so special as a performer shows just how good of a partnership their efforts were in the Mad Max series. And much as he declared directly above, it’s sad we won’t get to see him actually take part in Furiosa alongside the amazing cast that’s being assembled. But at least his legacy will be represented in some shape or form, waiting for eager fans to discover and enjoy in the future past of the Mad Max series.

Unfortunately, there’s no ETA on when Furiosa will get off the ground, or whether the film has gotten an official greenlight from Warner Bros. However, you can be sure to get any future updates from CinemaBlend as they break. And while you’re waiting, you can always check out the 2021 release schedule, full of other action packed delights to keep you occupied in the interim.

Movie fans love good movie rumors. While we all get to see what happens in the final product of any film, the process of making that movie is something very few get to experience. Getting a peek behind the curtain, at the decisions that made good movies great or made bad movies awful is certainly exciting. However, quite frequently, the rumors don't turn out to be quite as juicy or exciting as the reality. This is apparently the case with one of the more interesting rumors surrounding Mad Max: Fury Road, the idea that the movie never actually had a screenplay. George Miller, who co-wrote the film says it absolutely did.

The screenplay of Mad Max: Fury Road is officially credited to three people, Brendan McCarthy, Nick Lathouris, and George Miller who also directed the picture. Last weekend, in a series of mostly now-deleted tweets, McCarthy took issue with the long-running rumor that the film had no script. And now George Miller has backed up those words to Indiewire, saying that, if there had never been a script, there would have been nothing to use to get everybody necessary onboard the project. According to Miller...

It's unclear exactly where the "there was no script" rumor got started, though in one of Brendan McCarthy's now-deleted tweets, he laid the blame at the feet of George Miller himself. The rumor likely became more popular when it was addressed a couple of years back by the Just Write Youtube Channel. It's a great deep dive into what makes the film so good. Give it a watch.

The general thesis of the argument is that because so much of the storytelling is done through worldbuilding and action, that a traditional screenplay structure simply wouldn't have worked. And that's probably still true. While there may have been a screenplay, it doesn't mean it looked the way we would normally expect one to look, it was quite likely a very different sort of document.

At the end of the day, there are three people credited with writing a screenplay for Mad Max: Fury Road, and who gets those credits is something that isn't taken lightly. There would have had to have been a screenplay, for the Writers' Guild of America to look at in order to see who contributed to it.

The idea that Mad Max: Fury Road didn't have a script is, of course, so much more interesting. That such a remarkable film was made at all is already impressive, the idea that it was done in such a non-traditional way just makes the movie feel that much more mythical. But real people worked to make Fury Road the movie it was, and all of them deserve their proper credit.

The upcoming spin-off to George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road has been simmering for months now. Back in late March there were whispers about the possibility of Emma star Anya Taylor-Joy playing the titular role in Furiosa, but months passed without any official confirmation. Now, however, not only has Taylor-Joy's casting been confirmed, but it's also been revealed that there are also two other fantastically talented actors who have come aboard: Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Chris Hemsworth.

This news comes to us from The Hollywood Reporter, which adds that George Miller is planning to once again be back at the helm of the film, with plans to direct, co-write and produce. There is an interesting wrinkle in that apparently Furiosa doesn't have the official greenlight at the studio yet, but one can imagine that this news will help inspire forward movement that will result in it getting made.

The reason why Charlize Theron isn't playing Furiosa in the spin-off is because the movie is going to be structured as an origin story instead of a sequel (if you want to know what happens after the last movie, you can read about George Miller's bleak take right here). In Mad Max: Fury Road we learn bits and pieces about her backstory – including that she was kidnapped at a young age along with her mother and brought to The Citadel, ruled by the fascistic water-hogging Immortan Joe, and presumably the new film is going to serve to fill in gaps in the history of the fan-favorite character. Unfortunately, because there are no details in the trade report or existing source material, it can't be said at this stage what to expect from the characters played by Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Chris Hemsworth.

What's also unclear is the planned production schedule for Furiosa. Despite not actually have the studio green light, THR notes that the project is being described as being in "advance development." One could read this as suggesting that the film could be up on its feet by the start of next year and ready to start shooting, but one hurdle that gets in the way of that thinking is Hemsworth's plan to start making Taika Waititi's Thor: Love And Thunder in January. Of course, it's possible that Hemsworth's part isn't massive in the George Miller film, which could allow the projects to operate in parallel. At this point in time there isn't enough information to be certain.

Furiosa will be the fifth film set in the Mad Max universe – which launched with the original Mad Max back in 1979. Fans have been forced to be patient awaiting news about the spin-off, but the truth of the matter is that the five year wait we've had thus far is nothing compared to the 30 year gap between Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and Mad Max: Fury Road. Furthermore, memories of the production woes and setbacks experienced by the last film makes one want this project to take its time and be 100 percent ready before all of the madness begins.

Hopefully this is just the start of a wave of news about this project as it gets closer and closer to production, so be sure to stay tuned for all of the latest updates about Furiosa here on CinemaBlend.

While Mad Max: Fury Road is a post-apocalyptic, thrill ride, it also served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of despots running loose when resources are low. The themes George Miller explores in the film may feel relevant to some -- and it’s clear he thought very hard about what he wanted to say with the Mad Max franchise when he revived it for a 21st century audience. It turns out he’s also thought a lot about the things we didn’t see on screen -- namely, what happened to Furiosa and the rest of the characters after the movie ends.

Despite how bleak much of Mad Max: Fury Road is, when the credits roll, there’s a sense of hope. After Max and Furiosa battle their way through the barren landscape, they manage to take down the Immortan Joe. George Miller recently admitted that he’s given careful consideration to what he thinks comes next:

George Miller admitted to Josh Horowitz for Metaverse, though, that both storytelling and human nature make it a little more complicated for the Mad Max: Fury Road crew to enjoy a happily ever after:

Despite the dangers that face the characters though, George Miller does believe there’s hope for Charlize Theron’s Furiosa to avoid the same fate as the villains that came before her:

It’s interesting to hear George Miller’s take on how the world Mad Max and Furiosa inhabit would fare after the Immortan Joe was defeated. Especially because Charlize Theron herself recently admitted she sees a lot of parallels between Mad Max: Fury Road and some of the unique challenges we’ve faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Charlize Theron likely won’t be joining forces with George Miller to explore Furiosa’s future. The director has turned his attention toward a Furiosa prequel -- which means we’ll get to see more of the heroine, but sadly (and controversially) without Charlize Theron playing her.

What do you think would happen to Max and Furiosa next? Would you want to see a continuation of their story? Let us know in the comments!

It’s always hard when two co-workers in the office have a feud; it can put everyone else in a tough position. But it’s likely even more complicated and difficult when those two co-workers happen to be the stars of a huge movie. And according to a stunt double, this sounded like the case on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road, where Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy were feuding.

At the time of Mad Max: Fury Road’s release, we heard news of the tense feud between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, but only recently has more light been shed on the topic. Charlize Theron’s stunt double, Dayna Grant, was put right in the middle of the spat and spoke a bit about how it affected life on set. Here’s what she told Metro:

This sounds rough. Hollywood feuds are nothing new, but it stinks if you’re somehow caught in the middle. In this case, it forced production to use the stunt doubles more than usual. Even so, it’s impressive that you couldn’t tell, as they concealed the stunt doubles well in Mad Max: Fury Road.

Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy’s feud, of course, is about as infamous as Mad Max: Fury Road now. Back in 2016, Charlize Theron shared a bit about butting heads with her co-star. She seemed to argue though that their real-life tension helped make the movie better, which makes a lot of sense, as their two characters aren’t supposed to be best friends on screen.

And the unbearable conditions on set likely didn't help things, either. The cast and crew were stuck in a hot desert for six months. Zoe Kravitz said everyone was tired, homesick, and confused. On top of all that, director George Miller didn’t use a script during production and just went off of storyboards, something that could probably make any actor go a little crazy.

But the two stars seemed to have buried the hatchet. Earlier this year, Tom Hardy said he regretted the way he behaved on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road. During the production, he felt in over his head and thought Charlize Theron deserved a more experienced partner. Likewise, Charlize Theron said she should have had more empathy for what Tom Hardy was facing since he was stepping into Mel Gibson’s shoes.

Charlize Theron’s Furiosa was easily one of the best aspects of George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, so it didn’t come as much of a surprise when Miller revealed that he was working on a Furiosa-centered prequel. But what was shocking to many is the fact that the director is eyeing a different actress to play the younger version of the character. Charlize Theron hasn’t said too much about the idea of someone else playing her famous heroine but, now that she’s opening up, it sounds like the development has been somewhat hard for her to accept.

While she has nothing but respect for George Miller, Charlize Theron admitted that it has been difficult to fathom the idea of Furiosa being played by someone else in the upcoming prequel. She’s especially a little heartbroken because of how much she loves the character and how long they spent crafting her:

While speaking with THR, Theron also highlighted the fact that roles like Furiosa don’t come along as often for actresses as they do for their male peers. She even cites this as motivation when going for roles within the action genre:

George Miller has previously acknowledged his decision not to cast Charlize Theron and partially attributed his desire to find a new actress to the limits on de-aging technology. While he believes there have been strides on that front, he still thinks it’s not sufficient enough to de-age Theron for an entire film.

Aside from Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road star Zoë Kravitz has also offered her thoughts on the Furiosa prequel, and she offered a more optimistic perspective. Having worked with George Miller, she puts her trust in him to tell a story fitting of the character.

It’s good to see that the character of Furiosa will live on, but it’s honestly bittersweet that Theron won’t be the one portraying her on the big screen. She has definitely proven to be passionate about the character, and she makes good points about action roles not being as plentiful for women.

Thankfully, movie buffs will get to see Charlize Theron take on a new action role in Netflix’s The Old Guard, which is scheduled to be released on July 10.

Mad Max: Fury Road’s Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron, is a massively popular character. And that hasn’t been lost on director George Miller. Recent reports reveal he’s working on a Furiosa prequel. But, since a prequel with Charlize Theron could be problematic, he’s opted to recast with a younger actor. And now Fury Road actress, Zoë Kravitz has shared her thoughts on the shake up.

Zoë Kravitz played Toast the Knowing, one of the five wives, in Mad Max: Fury Road. While she's currently working on Matt Reeves The Batman, Kravitz shy regarding her thoughts on the Mad Max franchise. Recently, she came on the Happy Sad Confused podcast to talk about her love for The American President movie, but eventually spoke a bit about what she thinks of Furiosa being recast. Here’s what she had to say:

Wise words. It’s best to just trust George Miller’s creative instincts, considering the critical and box office success of Mad Max: Fury Road. Of course, while filming, Zoë Kravitz, Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy and the rest of the cast and crew probably had a different perspective. At the time, they were put in a grueling environment for six months and were constantly confused since there was no script, just storyboards.

While in the past George Miller has said he has two more Mad Max sequels in his head, it seems like now all the attention has refocused on the Furiosa prequel, instead. Charlize Theron said she’d be interested in returning for a prequel and George Miller even considered using de-aging special effects to bring her back, but that idea has since been dropped.

While some reports pointed at Jodie Corner and Richard Madden to star in the Furiosa prequel, other indicate that George Miller might also be eyeing actress Anya Taylor-Joy to potentially play the lead, Furiosa. While we don’t know if she’s been cast, supposedly George Miller held her audition over Skype during the lock down. Anya Taylor-Joy would seemingly be a great casting choice. She’s turned quite a few heads for her performances in The Witch, M. Night Shyamalan’s Split and Glass, and Emma.

Further details about the Furiosa prequel are sparse at this point. Hopefully we’ll hear more as production develop. And, as always, we’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest Mad Max and Furiosa prequel news.

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The last son of Krypton had the honor (and curse?) of being the first superhero to spawn a franchise of blockbusters back in the ‘70s with Christopher Reeves’ portrayal. Superman movies have remained a staple in Hollywood over the years, but not without some growing pains. Even as a mustachioed Henry Cavill joined Zack Snyder to reveal the upcoming exciting return of the Man of Steel for the filmmaker’s long-awaited version of Justice League coming to HBO Max, Warner Bros is technically at a stand still with Kal-El.

There have been a ton of Superman projects that were in the works at one time but never made it far enough into production. What's surprising is the amount of esteemed filmmakers that have been at the center of these scrapped projects on the hero in the past 30 years. Let's go through them:

Jonathan Lemkin’s Superman Reborn

Back in the early ‘90s after The Death of Superman comic book crossover event made waves, Warner Bros was shopping for a comeback for the superhero. The studio purchased the storyline from DC and hired Jonathan Lemkin (Devil’s Advocate, Lethal Weapon 4) to write a script. Lemkin came up with a storyline that involved Superman losing a massive fight with Doomsday. Just as he reaches his death, his life force goes through Lois Lane and she ends up being impregnated with his child through virgin birth. Yes. This was an actual Superman script.

Lois’ child quickly grows into an adult in the matter of a few weeks as a resurrected Superman who finishes the job for Sups. Warner Bros reportedly passed on the script because it had too many similarities with Bruce’s arc in Batman Forever, according to The Greatest Sci-fi Movies Never Made. Hey I don’t see it, but there you have it, that's the story of why Superman Reborn never got past the script process.

Kevin Smith And Tim Burton’s Superman Lives with Nicolas Cage

Script-writing duties were then placed into the hands of Kevin Smith, who had broken out with Clerks and Mallrats at the time. His film called Superman Lives also included Doomsday, but under the orders of Brainiac and Lex Luthor. The villains outsmart Superman by blocking the Sun (the source of his powers) from him. But he is then resurrected by the Eradicator, a Kryptonian robot, and becomes sheathed in a robotic suit to take down Brainiac.

Following his work on the Batman movies, Tim Burton was hired to direct the script and Nicolas Cage came on board to play Superman. Smith had originally thought up Ben Affleck for the role and some other frequent collaborators in key roles such as Michael Rooker as Lex Luthor and Jason Mewes as Brainiac. Big names such as Kevin Spacey, Sandra Bullock and Chris Rock were ultimately approached, but it was later put on hold for being too expensive. Burton moved on to Sleepy Hollow and its since become one of the most famous movies that never happened.

Wolfgang Peterson’s Batman vs. Superman

Wolfgang Peterson, the director of Das Boot and Outbreak was once attached to making a previous Batman vs. Superman team-up film in 2001 based off an idea from Seven writer Andrew Kevin Walker. The pitch followed a newly divorced Superman and a newlywed Batman, who has lost Robin, Alfred and Gordan and hung up his cape. When the Joker murders his new wife, Bruce blames his best man Sups for heartbreak and a rivalry forms.

It was set to shoot in 2003 ahead of its summer 2004 release date before Warner Bros changed their minds and decided to focus on independent Batman and Superman projects. Wolfgang Petersen revealed that Christian Bale was in the running for Superman to MTV back in 2010. One writer Akiva Goldsman decided to add a fun Easter Egg in I Am Legend for the cancelled film: a poster of the logo (peek the above image).

J.J. Abrams and Brett Ratner’s Superman: Flyby

Before he did Star Trek or Star Wars and even before LOST, J.J. Abrams almost wrote a Superman movie. Back in 2002, Abrams was hired to write a new origin movie for Clark Kent following his early success with Armageddon, Felicity and Alias. At first his script was put on hold for the Batman vs. Superman script, but once he turned in a rewrite then the former was placed on hold. Rush Hour director Brett Ratner was hired to direct, Christopher Reeve was put on as a consultant and actors including Paul Walker, Brendan Fraser and Jude Law were considered.

The script kept Krypton standing after Kal-El’s journey to Earth. It centered on Jor-El’s evil brother Kata-Zor who sends Jor-El to prison and launches his son to Earth. Once Superman becomes popular on the planet, Kata-Zor and three of his partners venture to Earth to defeat him. Clark dies and finds himself with his dad Jor-El in Kryptonian heaven (who committed suicide in prison). Superman somehow gets resurrected and goes back to Earth to finish the job. Over the years, some awesome storyboards have been revealed about the project that never was. Ratner left due to casting difficulties and Charlie’s Angels’ director McG came on board before Bryan Singer was replaced to make 2006’s Superman Returns.

Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns 2 with Brandon Routh

Superman Returns made some money for Warner Bros, but not enough for the studio to pursue the planned 2009 sequel Superman Returns 2: The Man of Steel. Months before the release of Superman Returns, the sequel was announced with the core cast set to return and Bryan Singer back as director. The movie was expected to finally bring Brainiac to the big screen and introduce Metallo.

Singer instead went on to make Valkyrie instead and plans for Christopher Nolan’s Man of Steel reboot began to take shape. Brandon Routh never got to reprise his version of Kal-El in another movie, but the actor did recently resume the role in Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event in 2019 alongside Smallville’s Tom Welling.

George Miller’s Justice League: Mortal with D.J. Cotrona

Another especially high-profile Superman project that never happened is George Miller’s Justice League: Mortal. The movie to be directed by the Mad Max: Fury Road filmmaker was also in development following Superman Returns and would have offered a fresh new take on the superhero genre. D.J. Cotrona was hired to play Superman, Armie Hammer was to be Batman, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Adam Brody as Flash, Common as Green Lantern, Hugh Keays-Byrne as Martian Manhunter, Jay Baruchel as Maxwell Lord and Teresa Palmer would play Talia Al Ghul.

Cotrona described it as “allegorical, like a story of Greek Gods” and Brody thinks it would have “been a classic.” This movie fell through the cracks due to ill timing. Warner Bros wanted more work to be done on the script just as the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike was in effect. Oddly enough, Cotrona and Brody both suited up in the third act of Shazam! As adult superhero versions of Billy Batson’s adopted brothers.

Man of Steel 2?

It took seven years between Superman Returns and Man of Steel, but many would agree it was worth the wait. Henry Cavill was an incredible choice for the role and Zack Snyder’s vision for the character was an exciting one. In 2014, a sequel was announced to be in the works (with the potential of George Miller helming even a possibility). It was reported that Man of Steel was part of a three-film arc until plans to bring Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League took priority over another standalone flick.

Back in 2018, it was rumored that Henry Cavill was done with the DC universe and other comic book projects were being moved ahead of another Man of Steel movie. In late 2019, Cavill assured fans that he has “not given up the role” and updated the status of the hero’s future as “you’ll see”. The actor does have a packed schedule between The Witcher and an upcoming Sherlock Holmes film, but perhaps the character will find regained interest with 2021’s release of Snyder Cut?

It's been no easy journey for Superman movies. What do you think? If you could save on Man of Steel project, which one would you like to see? Vote in our poll below.

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Mad Max: Fury Road is five years old, but the Academy Award-winning film is still being talked about today, seemingly resonating more than ever. It’s no secret the production had its fair share of drama and trouble. Yet, somehow, out of the crucible, George Miller crafted a thrilling, and gorgeous spectacle.

Now, the New York Times reports that lead stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron have spoken a little more in depth on the topic in a recent interview. Tom Hardy, in particular, shared that he has some regrets about how he conducted himself. Here’s what he had to say:

This is refreshing coming from the Mad Max: Fury Road star. And he’s absolutely right that he was in over his head, especially trying to fill Mel Gibson’s larger-than-life shoes as the titular character. Initially, there were plans to bring Mel Gibson back, but those fell through and the role went to Tom Hardy, instead.

Earlier reports pointed to problems between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron while on set. Back then, Charlize Theron admitted they would frequent butt heads, but also said that tension might have helped elevate their performances and the movie as a whole. Here’s what Charlize Theron says about the experience now:

As you can imagine, Mad Max: Fury Road production was anything but fun and games. Zoe Kravitz said in an interview that they were in a hot desert for six months, tired, homesick, and confused about what was happening with the movie most of the time. It sounds like the chaotic set was difficult for everyone involved.

So, are there any Mad Max sequels planned? All signs point to yes. George Miller has said he has two ideas in his head for sequels, plus a Furiosa story. That Furiosa story is already in the works with Anya Taylor-Joy being eyed for the titular role.

Just because the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed movies that were about to come out and ground projects that were in the middle of production to a halt, that doesn’t mean that work in the film industry has completely stopped. Case in point, director George Miller is pushing ahead with getting his Mad Max: Fury Road Furiosa spinoff off the ground, and has even held some auditions during these coronavirus-filled times.

Among the actors that George Miller has spoken with about the Furiousa movie is actress Anya Taylor-Joy. Variety didn’t mention whether or not Taylor-Joy has been cast, but in keeping with the strong suggestion to social distance/quarantine to help flatten the coronavirus curve, Miller held her audition and the others over Skype.

In addition to her role as Illyana Rasputin, a.k.a. Magik, in the forthcoming The New Mutants (which was recently delayed for the fourth time due to the current pandemic), Anya Taylor-Joy’s other credits include The Witch, Split, Glass and Emma, which is now available for rental on VOD platforms. Taylor-Joy also had a voice role in Netflix’s The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and her other upcoming projects include Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho and the Netflix miniseries The Queen’s Gambit.

Released in 2015, Mad Max: Fury Road, which starred Tom Hardy in the eponymous role once occupied by Mel Gibson, was met with critical acclaim and made over $374 million worldwide, making it a modest box office success. The story saw Max teaming up with Imperator Furiosa to escape from Immortal Joe and guide his “Five Wives” to safety. Charlize Theron’s Furiosa performance was one of Fury Road’s main sources of praise.

In the years following Mad Max: Fury Road’s time in theaters, George Miller has said that he plans to keep the franchise going with numerous projects, one of which would star Furiosa. While no specific plot details for this spinoff have been revealed, it’s been rumored that it will be a prequel. In addition to Anya Taylor-Joy being thrown into the casting mix, it was also recently reported that Jodie Comer and Richard Madden have been eyed to join, with Comer being sought to play a younger Furiosa and Madden playing a handsome man with a huge forehead wound crudely stitched together with chrome staples.

Keep in mind that as with Anya Taylor-Joy, neither Jodie Comer nor Richard Madden’s inclusion in the Furiosa spinoff is officially confirmed in any way. It’s also unclear when George Miller will complete casting for the projects, but judging by these names, this is a solid lineup of talent to choose from.

Along with this Furiosa spinoff, George Miller also said last year that he had ideas for two other Max Max-centric stories, one of which has been referred to as Max Max: The Wasteland. However, considering that Variety mentioned that Miller plans to start shooting this Furiosa story in 2021, it looks like that’s being prioritized.

Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for all the biggest updates concerning the Mad Max franchise. In the meantime, look through our guide detailing all the cinematic projects that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2015, after three decades away from the franchise and despite a difficult production with two leads that did not get along, 70-year-old director George Miller delivered a legitimate action masterpiece with Mad Max: Fury Road. Since then we’ve been eagerly awaiting news to hear when Miller would once again return to the post-apocalyptic wasteland. Well according to a new rumor, George Miller may have found his new leads for another Mad Max movie.

Warner Bros. and George Miller are looking for new leads for the next Mad Max film and they may have their eyes on Jodie Comer and Richard Madden. That’s according to Geeks WorldWide, who report that the pair of actors are at the top of the want list to star in a Mad Max prequel film titled Mad Max: Furiosa. The report also states that George Miller would return to direct and that production is expected to begin late this year in Australia.

This should be treated as a rumor for now, and the report states that Jodie Comer and Richard Madden are wanted for the film, not that they have officially signed on. So we should take this rumor with a grain of salt for the time being and shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves thinking that Mad Max: Furiosa starring Jodie Comer and Richard Madden is a done deal. That said, this rumor is certainly something worth considering.

According to the rumor, Jodie Comer is being sought for Mad Max: Furiosa to play none other than Imperator Furiosa herself. As a prequel film, Comer would play the younger version of Charlize Theron’s instantly iconic character from Mad Max: Fury Road. It is unknown whether Charlize Theron would return would return as the older Furiosa or not.

Actress Jodie Comer’s career has taken off recently thanks to her breakout role as childlike assassin Villanelle on the TV series Killing Eve, for which she won an Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy. She also just had a cameo appearance in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as Spoiler Alert! Rey’s mother. Later this year she will prove her action chops on the big screen opposite Ryan Reynolds in Free Guy.

If this rumor bears out and both actors sign on, Jodie Comer would join Mad Max: Furiosa opposite Richard Madden. The report states that Madden would star in Furiosa as a handsome man with a huge forehead wound crudely stitched together with chrome staples.

First breaking out as the Young Wolf Robb Stark on HBO’s Game of Thrones, Richard Madden has gone on to star in the series Bodyguard and Dexter Fletcher’s Elton John film Rocketman. Later this year Richard Madden joins the MCU as Ikaris in The Eternals.

We’ve heard that Warner Bros. wants more Mad Max movies from George Miller and the director has said he has two more films in his head, one of them being a Furiosa movie. So this rumored Mad Max: Furiosa film isn’t coming out of left field. What is interesting though is the rumored casting.

Charlize Theron has stated multiple times that she’d love to come back and play Furiosa again. So it would be odd that Jodie Comer would be sought for the role instead. It’s possible Charlize Theron changed her mind, but I think the prevailing wisdom was that the actress would be returning to one of her most recognizable roles. It’s nothing against Jodie Comer, but I think that would be the preferred direction.

Perhaps it has to do with this rumored film potentially being a prequel. Jodie Comer is 18 years Charlize Theron’s junior and so Mad Max: Furiosa would be set well before Mad Max: Fury Road and rather than de-age the not at all old and completely stunning Charlize Theron, they decided to recast.

The more encouraging direction though would be a film that served as both sequel and prequel, showing Furiosa in the past and present, allowing both Comer and Theron to play her.

It’s a lot to think about, but for now it’s just a rumor. We’ll keep you updated though as we eagerly wait for George Miller to blow our minds once more. Check out our 2020 Release Schedule to see what’s headed to theaters this year and stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest movie news.

This year, fans and filmmakers alike have argued over what defines a cinematic experience -- and as to whether or not superhero movies can be considered cinema. The latter question, in particular, has inspired a contentious debate, with prominent directors weighing in. Now George Miller has offered his opinion on the matter -- and his thoughtful perspective is worth considering.

In an interview with Deadline, the Mad Max director defended blockbuster franchises, like Star Wars and comic book films. Seemingly in response to the ongoing conversation about these movies’ validity, he said:

This introspective approach to the debate feels refreshing, and seems to acknowledge that even within these genres, there are many factors to consider when deciding whether a movie is "good" or "bad." He went on to argue that this debate is far more complicated than many people seem to think:

Earlier this year, Martin Scorsese said Marvel movies are more like amusement parks than movies, and shouldn’t be considered cinema. The Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola later echoed his sentiments. Many voices from the MCU, including James Gunn and Kevin Feige, have since defended the genre. But George Miller is one of the first filmmakers outside of the genre to lend his voice in support of comic book movies. His nuanced opinion is a much-needed reminder that this conversation, like the films themselves, has the potential to be deeper than many may have originally thought. It’s likely he won’t have the last word - but we’re glad he weighed in.

Mad Max director George Miller is back again, talking about the next films he wants to make in that franchise. While doing so, he discussed the true star of 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road -- guitar guy, aka Coma-Doof Warrior, or Coma The Doof Warrior, which is his actual name, although guitar guy/dude just sounds better to me.

The scene-stealing character got his own backstory and there's still hope that he'll find a way into the next movies.

George Miller told Deadline he's "not done with the Mad Max story," as he's mentioned several times before, adding, "there's certainly another Mad Max coming down the pike after this."

So, in theory, Coma could possibly return. George Miller has even talked about it before, potentially bringing back this character in the next Mad Max sequel.

Deadline asked about the chances of Coma returning in another Mad Max movie. In his response, Miller delved deep into the character's history:

I love when seemingly minor movie characters have entire backstories. George Miller continued, explaining how The Doof Warrior ended up on Immortan Joe’s side of things in Mad Max: Fury Road:

I love it. And it's not like George Miller came up with that on the fly, he gave guitar dude's backstory to Australian-based musician iOTA, who played the character in Mad Max: Fury Road.

In 2015, iOTA told Audiences Everywhere he got the job through a basic screen test with his agency.

Here's what he was told about Coma-Doof Warrior's backstory:

The exact backstory may change with each retelling. It's been almost five years now since Mad Max: Fury Road came out, and even though George Miller was just talking a couple of months ago about having two more Mad Max sequels still in his head, there's still that profit lawsuit against studio Warner Bros. But recent comments from Warner Bros. suggest the studio is game to return for more too, so maybe things can actually be worked out. Up to this point, there's just been a lot of talk and hope for sequels but a legal battle is quite an adversary.

As we wait for Warner Bros. and George Miller to ever finally announce they are actively filming the next Mad Max movie, and not just talking about making the next Mad Max movie, keep up with everything heading to the big screen next year with our 2020 movie release date schedule.

Would you want to see Coma return in whatever is next for the Mad Max franchise?

There are countless movies over the years that have become legendary due to the fact that they will never exist. High profile films don't always work out and one of the bigger projects to get the plug pulled over the years was Justice League: Mortal, a superhero team up movie that would have been directed by George Miller.

Adam Brody was tapped to play The Flash in that movie, and he laments greatly that the movie never happened, because everything about it was perfect. From the cast to the script, Brody tells Yahoo everything about the project was solid...

What wasn't solid, however, was the behind-the-scenes situation. The movie was in pre-production during the 2007-2008 Writer's Guild Strike which meant that, while the script might have been solid, even the slightest changes could not be dealt with. That, combined with other financial considerations, led to the plug being pulled.

For his part, Adam Brody says that, at the time, the movie falling apart didn't bother him all that much. It wasn't until 2015 when he saw George Miller direct Mad Max: Fury Road, that he realized just what a great movie Justice League: Mortal would have actually been...

It's difficult to argue with Adam Brody's analysis here. A Justice League movie directed by George Miller seems like it was absolutely going to be something special. Considering that the Justice League movie we got was generally viewed (regardless of whether or not there's a "better" version out there somewhere) to be something of a disappointment, and the wish to see this one only grows.

Adam Brody laments that, while he continued to find steady work, nothing the size of Justice League: Mortal came along after that. However, he's now back in the superhero game, having appeared at the end of Shazam! as the super powered alter ego of Freddy Freeman. He will certainly be a larger force in the planned sequel, which will likely be coming sooner rather than later.

In 2015, coming off of Happy Feet Two, 70-year-old director George Miller delivered one of the greatest action films of all time with Mad Max: Fury Road. Since that film came out, racking up critical acclaim and 6 Oscar wins, audiences have been wondering if Miller would ever return to that post-apocalyptic world for a sequel. It turns out that the director has two more Mad Max sequels in his head, as he explained:

While I think many would be happy with just one more Mad Max movie from George Miller, it seems that the director has two different stories about Max Rockatansky in his head that could be told in two sequels. George Miller also has a story about Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa in mind, which would seemingly be an entirely separate film from the Mad Max sequels.

This is basically in keeping with what we’ve heard from the director in the past. George Miller has previously spoken about how the various production delays on Fury Road allowed him and writer Nick Lathouris to explore the backstory of the film and write two other stories.

We don’t know the details of the stories of these sequels, although insane action seems pretty much guaranteed. One of the Mad Max sequels had been called Mad Max: The Wasteland, but that was just a working title. A possible prequel for Charlize Theron’s breakout character Furiousa has also been brought up in the past with the actress seeming totally down to do it.

So George Miller could make another three movies to follow Mad Max: Fury Road just based on the ideas he has racing around in his head. But an idea is a far cry from a production start date so will these movies happen, and if so, when? On that matter, George Miller seems optimistic.

The director told IndieWire that it is pretty clear that more Mad Max is going to happen, but first he’s got to play out the Warners thing. What he’s referring to there is the lawsuit his production company, Kennedy Miller Mitchell, filed against Warner Bros. It all stems from a $7 million bonus George Miller and the production were to be owed should the film’s final cost come in under a certain amount.

That bonus has not been paid and the point of contention seems to be with how the film’s budget was calculated. There are other aspects to it as well and Warner Bros. has filed a cross-lawsuit against Kennedy Miller Mitchell. Yet despite these contentious legal matters, George Miller sounds optimistic that things will work out and they can proceed together to make more Mad Max movies.

Warner Bros. too seems to be very interested in more Mad Max as well with now former Warner Bros. head Kevin Tsujihara expressing the studio’s interest in working with George Miller to further the franchise. Before that can happen though George Miller is making a fantasy romance film starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton titled Three Thousand Years of Longing.

It’s nice to hear that George Miller is still toying around with sequel ideas and his positive attitude about them actually happening is incredibly encouraging for fans of his masterwork Mad Max: Fury Road.

We’ll keep you updated on what the future holds for Mad Max and Imperator Furiosa as we hear about it. In the meantime check out our 2019 Release Schedule to know what movies are headed your way in the coming months.

Warner Bros. is coming off an impressive year, as hits including Aquaman, A Star is Born and Crazy Rich Asians helped propel the studio to $5.6 billion in worldwide earnings. Moving forward, it is expanding the DC Universe, starting with an impressive 2019 slate and looking to forward a few more of their popular properties. Here’s what Warner Bros. film and television chief executive Kevin Tsuijihara said:

Though the studio’s biggest hits in 2018 were not sequels, Warner Bros. looks to be focusing on continuing and reimagining the beloved stories it's previously established going forward. In his recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kevin Tsuijihara discussed the studio’s particular interest in moving forward with another Mad Max sequel from writer/director George Miller.

Thirty years after Mad Max Thunderdome, George Miller revitalized his franchise with 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, which became the highest-earning installment with over $378 million worldwide. It was also recognized with six Oscars out of an impressive ten nominations.

A follow-up to the post-apocalyptic action flick starring Charlize Theron’s Furiosa and Tom Hardy’s Max Rockatansky has been delayed due to an ongoing lawsuit between the Fury Road filmmakers and Warner Bros, concerning an unpaid bonus of $7 million. Due to expensive reshoots for Fury Road that went over budget, the studio has refused to pay the bonus, while George Miller has explained the reshoots were at the fault of the studio.

Per Kevin Tsuijihara’s recent comments, maybe the studio is willing to pay the difference or settle the deal once and for all so more Mad Max movies can finally move ahead? Considering the success and appeal of Fury Road, it would be a smart move and investment for the studio to develop the sequel, which George Miller previously revealed he had plans for.

Tsuijihara also mentioned plans to delve back into Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera as well. The studio already has plans to bring back Bugs and Lola Bunny for Space Jam 2, starring the Lakers’ own LeBron James, produced by Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler and Fast & Furious 6’s Justin Lin, and Terence Nance directing. The movie will begin filming this summer and hit theaters on July 16, 2021.

So amidst more DC origin stories, we can hopefully expect Warner Bros to move forward with Mad Max and more big screen reboots of beloved childhood Sunday morning cartoons. Check out CinemaBlend’s 2019 movie release guide for upcoming releases coming closer to theaters.

It was a three decade wait between Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and Mad Max: Fury Road, but the latter movie exceeded expectations, becoming the highest-grossing entry in the franchise and earning numerous accolades, which included winning six Oscar and being nominated in three other categories, With a performance like that, it's hardly surprising that director George Miller and Warner Bros were interested in making more movies centered on Max Rockatansky. However, three years after Fury Road's release, it looks like a legal battle between Miller and Warner Bros may prevent these sequels from ever becoming a reality.

Last November, it was reported that George Miller's production company, Kennedy Miller Mitchell, was suing Warner Bros over unpaid earnings. If the final net cost of Mad Max: Fury Road ended up being below $157 million, the production company would have been awarded a $7 million bonus. Kennedy Keller Mitchell alleged that while Warner Bros calculated that Fury Road went over budget, there were complications during the shoot due to delays and weather that the company shouldn't be faulted for, and discounting the cost of those problems, it earned that bonus. Now the latest update from the Sydney Morning Herald states that Kennedy Keller Mitchell has claimed in a document filed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales that Warner Bros acted in a "high-handed, insulting or reprehensible manner." Because Warner Bros "destroyed" this trustful relationship, Miller's production company was unable to work with the studio to make more Mad Max sequels.

Following Mad Max: Fury Road's release, George Miller revealed that he had enough material for two more Mad Max scripts, one of which is called Mad Max: The Wasteland (though that's just a working title). However, judging by the way this legal conflict is going, it doesn't sound like we should expect any progress on another installment anytime soon. Even if Kennedy Miller Mitchell and Warner Bros are able to reach some kind of settlement, both parties have alleged how the other side made Fury Road's production incredibly difficult, so it's hard to imagine how they could work together amicably on another movie, let alone two.

Warner Bros has distributed all of the Mad Max movies since the beginning, so I suspect the studio wouldn't give up the rights to the franchise even if George Miller never got to make these sequels. That would be a shame, because Mad Max: Fury Road blazed a new path for this film series to take, not just for Tom Hardy in the Max Rockatansky role, but also for Charlize Theron's Furiosa. Alas, despite Fury Road's critical acclaim, the journey to make that movie may have ultimately led to the Mad Max franchise being paused indefinitely.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on the Mad Max franchise as they come in. For now, you can plan your visits to the movie theater this year accordingly by scanning through our 2018 release schedule.

Released two and a half years ago, George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road wound up being one of the most significant hits of 2015 - from a box office perspective, and even during awards season. It looked like a huge win for all involved, the quality of the finished product even patching up the relationship between stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, but it seems things aren't entirely alright behind the scenes. Now, Miller is suing Warner Bros. over unpaid earnings.

A report from Australia's Sydney Morning Herald says that Kennedy Miller Mitchell, George Miller's production company, is now suing Warner Bros., with details emerging from the Supreme Court of New South Wales. According to Justice David Hammerschlag, the contract for the production of Mad Max: Fury Road included an agreement regarding a $7 million bonus. This amount would be paid out if the "final net cost" of the movie was not more than $157 million - subtracting certain costs - and Miller and his company believe they are owed that money due to unforeseeable circumstances that the project encountered mid-production.

Hammerschlag says that Warner Bros.' cost estimates show that Mad Max: Fury Road went over the proposed $157 million line, but argues fault in the calculation. The George Miller-directed dystopian adventure famously experienced a rough development and production period due to certain delays and weather issues, but Kennedy Miller Mitchell doesn't believe those problems should be held against them. Discounting the costs of those delays and problems, says Hammerschlag, the production did earn their bonus.

Making the suit more complicated is an issue also involving Warner Bros.' co-financing agreement with Brett Ratner's production company, RatPac Entertainment. Part of the Kennerdy Miller Mitchell agreement with Warner Bros. reportedly included a clause that said the former would be given the opportunity to finance the project would the latter start searching for another co-financer. By bringing in RatPac Entertainment - which brought 12.5 percent of the project's funding - Kennedy Miller Mitchell argues that WB was in breach.

In a statement, George Miller and producing partner Doug Mitchell said,

In their own statement, Warner Bros. officially replied:

We will continue to follow this development, and also hope that we will eventually see an agreement that results in Mad Max 5 becoming a reality.

While we're just two months away from Zack Snyder and Joss Whedon's Justice League, this isn't the first time that the titular heroes have been planned to make their way to the silver screen. Mad Max director George Miller once developed a Justice League movie of his own, which would no doubt feature far more visceral and intense action sequences. Actor Jay Baruchel (This Is The End, Knocked Up) was set to play mind controlling villain Maxwell Lord in the flick, and recently revealed how Wonder Woman and Superman were going to have an absolutely brutal action sequence of their own, resulting in Superman breaking some Amazonian bones.

Holy crap, this sounds awesome, and not anything like what we should expect when Justice League hits theaters in November.

Jay Burachel's comments on the Happy Sad Confused podcast show what a wholly different type of movie George Miller would have crafted, if it didn't end up falling through. Without a shared universe to worry about, Miller had the ability to make as many bold and visceral choices as he wanted. This includes pitting two of the DC trinity against each other in a battle that actually had high stakes and serious consequences. Watching the nearly invincible Wonder Woman be brutalized by the Man of Steel would be unlike anything the fans were expecting, and could have brought an interesting color to the otherwise boring Superman.

Pitting Wonder Woman and Superman against each other also makes far more sense than the conflict in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Because while seeing Superman and Batman come to blows was an exciting concept, it's not exactly an even match. Batman had to use a variety of gadgets and kryptonite weapons to even the playing field, and even that felt a bit far fetched. But Diana Prince shares many of the same superpowers as the Kryptonian, so their battle would be epic.

Jay Burachel was set to play the villain Maxwell Lord, who has the powers of mind control in the DC comics. While he's able to occasionally influence people's minds, it causes him great physical pain often resulting in a nose bleed. This side affect was reportedly going to be utilized to gory affect when Maxwell Lord brain washed Superman into battling his friends. Instead of just a nose bleed, he was reportedly going to bleed from every orifice. This once again proves just how brutal George Miller's Justice League: Mortal would have been, if the writer's strike of 2007 didn't essentially destroy its chances.

The DCEU's Justice League will arrive in theaters on November 17, 2017. In the meantime, check out our 2017 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Despite the fact that superhero blockbusters have defined the last few summers, other franchises have still found ways to make their mark in the film industry as well. One of the most prominent recent examples of that phenomenon was George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road, which featured a scene-stealing performance by Charlize Theron as the now iconic Furiosa. So what is the future of this fan-favorite character? Could we potentially see Theron return for a Furiosa-focused prequel? The Atomic Blonde actress recently addressed this possibility, and it sounds like she's onboard if George Miller ever decides to go back to her story. Theron said:

Talk about a tease. If scripts for a Furiosa backstory exist, then the mythology is simply sitting there waiting to be told. Charlize Theron is willing to make that project a reality, but she will only do it on the condition that George Miller similarly returns to tell the story properly. Considering the fact that Mad Max: Fury Road was a critical and commercial success when it debuted back in 2015, Warner Bros. would be wise to pay attention and keep this idea on the burner until Miller is ready to join Theron on this one.

If nothing else, Charlize Theron's comments to Variety about a potential Mad Max prequel have our wheels spinning about the sort of insight that a new Furiosa film could offer us. George Miller never spoon fed us information during the events of Fury Road, which means that there are several unanswered questions from the last Mad Max movie that could easily receive more attention in a new project. How exactly did she lose her arm? What was her relationship with Immortan Joe like before Max showed up? The potential is seemingly limitless.

While there is currently no confirmation as to whether or not a Furiosa-centric prequel will ever actually materialize, it seems like it could represent the perfect step forward for Charlize Theron and her career as an action powerhouse. After all, over the course of the last few years, she has handily proven herself as one of the best female action stars currently working in Hollywood. Between Fury Road, The Fate of the Furious, and her upcoming stint in David Leitch's Atomic Blonde, Ms. Theron has managed to deliver stellar performances and bone-crunching action sequences consistently. To date, Furiosa still feels like her magnum opus, so we will keep our fingers firmly crossed that she will one day return to that delightfully badass role.

Check out a trailer for Atomic Blonde to see Charlize Theron once again kicking all sorts of ass!

CinemaBlend will keep you posted with any and all relevant updates related to a possible new installment in the Mad Max saga as more information becomes available to us. For now, make sure to check out Charlize Theron as Lorraine Broughton when Atomic Blonde hits theaters later this month on July 28.

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For many moviegoers, Mad Max: Fury Road was such a visceral and rollicking blockbuster that most would instantly journey to Valhalla just to see a follow-up. But while we'd expect to see how Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa are doing in the film, it turns out that writer and director George Miller has developed the script for the sequels and its characters so extensively that we'd even get to see the Doof Warrior's mother in a follow-up. George Miller tantalizingly said about the axe-wielding character,

I'm just happy that George Miller's comments to The Independent confirmed that he sill has major plans for the Mad Max franchise. For those of you that can't quite remember, which is understandable considering just how much transpired in Mad Max: Fury Road, Doof Warrior's life choices resulted in him being chained to the front of a speeding automobile playing a guitar at full pelt. Basically he was there to entertain Immortan Joe's troops as they hunted down Imperator Furiosa and Max Rockatansky. You can remind yourself of exactly why the Doof Warrior was so important to Mad Max: Fury Road's aesthetic, and why he deserves to go down as the greatest performer in post-apocalyptic history below.

Clearly Doof Warrior needs to get a new agent, because that's a tough gig. Especially when you consider that he is a blind guitarist that's being forced to play a flame-throwing electric guitar. We've actually already been privy to the details surrounding Doof Warrior's past, as it was previously revealed by iOTA, who played the character in Mad Max: Fury Road, that Doof was formerly a child musical prodigy that was brought up in a happy environment by his mother. However, Doof's mother was killed and decapitated, and her head was even dropped into his lap. When Immortan Joe stumbled upon Doof he found him still clinging to her head.

This is where things get particularly unpleasant, because Doof Warrior decided to wear a mask that he made from his mother's face, which was sliced from her skull. This also helped to cover the fact that he was missing both of his eyeballs, had deformed teeth, as well as remarkably pale skin, which is always susceptible in the desert. Doof Warrior put on this mask when Immortan Joe's posse headed out to battle, and it was his job to relay his boss's orders to everyone through his guitar, as well as amping them up for war. Ever the pro, the Doof Warrior never stopped playing guitar throughout the fight.

Hopefully we'll get to learn even more about the Doof Warrior's past when Mad Max: Fury Road's sequel is eventually released. But considering it took 30 years for Fury Road to follow Beyond Thunderdome we might be waiting a while.

Last summer, Mad Max: Fury Road set the imaginations of countless moviegoers on fire, as its orange and blue vision of the post-apocalyptic wastes that "Mad" Max Rockatansky calls home wowed a new generation of fans. Yet despite the fact that George Miller's film truly reveled in the explosion of color is set off, the director always felt that black and white was the true home of the creatively dirty vibe the film gave off. Well, after almost a year of promises, we're finally going to get our chance to see the "Black and Chrome" cut of the film, when the Mad Max High Octane Collection drops on December 6th.

Officially announced by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the Mad Max High Octane Collection is, literally, the four movie set we caught wind of just months ago. For the first time, all four films, from 1979's Mad Max through to last summer's Mad Max: Fury Road, will all be available in one convenient to own set. Though if you purchase the new boxed set of George Miller's legendary action-adventure franchise, you'll technically be getting five films, as the "Blood and Chrome" version of the latest film is actually considered a movie on its own. At least, that's what the marketing has us believing, as Warner Bros. is also offering a "Two Movie Collection" containing both versions of Mad Max: Fury Road.

Knowing that even George Miller himself was impressed by the black and white version of his own film, our interest in Mad Max: Fury Road has just been rekindled. While directors love to toy with the notion of an alternate cut of their own films, Miller has delivered on his promise, and then some. In addition to the "Blood and Chrome" version of Fury Road, the Mad Max High Octane Collection will also contain some impressive special features chronicling the storied history of the films. Most impressively, the set boasts the inclusion of "Road War," a new documentary detailing the production of The Road Warrior in 1982.

Five films, one box, and a black and chrome experience that's bound to reignitethe fandom surrounding Mad Max: Fury Road await you on December 6th, when the Mad Max High Octane Collection makes itself available, just in time for your holiday shopping needs.