These days it’s hard to go a week without hearing about some remake/reboot coming out of Hollywood. Few of these films can claim they’ve been in the rumor mill for as long as Mad Max: Fury Road. After two decades, however, actual development is occurring on the next installment of the Mad Max franchise.
Variety is reporting that Charlize Theron (The Italian Job, Hancock) and Tom Hardy (Black Hawk Down, Star Trek: Nemesis, Bronson) have both been cast in Fury Road. Now, as interesting as that casting is everyone is still anxiously waiting to find out if Mel Gibson will reprise his role as Mad Max. When Director George Miller was asked about this he was vague to say the least, “It could be Mel, it could be anyone.”
Whether Gibson is involved or not I’m left wondering if this particular film needs a sequel (as this seems to be) or an outright reboot. I mean this property has been dormant for over twenty years so the majority of current movie goers have no idea what the world of Mad Max is all about.
For those who may remember, they probably have memories of Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Perhaps more specifically, images of Tina Turner and awkward cage match duels. If that’s the case, it may not be the best memory for people to have. Don’t get me wrong, Thunderdome was fun, but not the best jumping off point if you’re looking to woo a new generation of Mad Max fans. Especially when you factor in the serious tone films of this nature have these days, far from the campy 80’s fair Thunderdome brought us.
Nevertheless, I’m curious to see where Fury Road leads. Theron and Hardy are great additions to be sure. Coincidentally, it seems Theron is gravitating to post-apocalyptic roles these days as she’ll soon be seen in The Road. Or, she just has a thing for films with “road” in the title. No release date has been set for Mad Max: Fury Road but we’ll keep you posted.
