Could Mel Gibson Be Involved In Mad Max 4 After-all?

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Over the past few years I’ve been a bit amazed when certain films – that I honestly believed would never be made – have eventually made it to the big screen.

Films such as Live Free Or Die Hard, Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull and even Superman Returns were in development for so long that at one point it appeared that they’d never be made. Now it looks like George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road might be making it onto that list.

Over the weekend Miller talked up the forthcoming action extravaganza to the Australian media, discussing casting, showing off cars for the film and giving details about when the film will shoot.

To learn more keep reading.

Miller says that pre-production for Mad Max 4 will start next week and it looks like there may be a slim chance that Mel Gibson could be stepping back into his iconic leathers for the film.

When asked about casting for the film by ABC News Miller replied:

“It could be Mel, it could be anyone. In fact, I’m looking around at these faces to see if anyone’s quite interesting her.”

He went on to say:

“I’m still in the middle of casting, despite all the stuff we see on the net and so on. I don’t even know who the final cast will be. We’ve been casting fairly furiously over the last six or seven weeks and I’ve got a lot of actors to see and so no decision has been made.”

While it isn’t confirmation of Gibson’s involvement it isn’t a denial, either – have Warner Bros secured Mel’s services so that they can happily spend $100 million on an action sequel to a 30 year-old film? God I hope so.

It could also mean that Miller is talking about filling out the supporting cast and not the title role of Mad Max. Over the past few months everyone from Jeremy Renner to Sam Worthington to Tom Hardy have been mentioned in relation to the role, while Charlize Theron’s name has been connected to a supporting part.

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Miller also seems to be on a bit of a mission to help the Australian film industry and Mad Max 4 has been called “one of the largest and most ambitious live-action films ever made in Australia” by a local Politician. Considering that a couple of Star Wars and The Matrix films were lensed there, that’s a big claim. It’s believed that 540 jobs will be created over two-and-a-half years working on the film.

Check out the interview with Miller here – where he talks about casting Mad Max 4.

So has Gibson finally relented and decided to star in the film? He turned it down when he went on an acting sabbatical following The Passion of The Christ, but his recent starring turns in The Beaver and Edge of Darkness may have gotten him excited about returning to the franchise that made him a star. The cynic in me also believes that his pending divorce may also be a factor (read: $$$$$$$) – IF he does end up starring in the film.

We don’t need another hero! We want Mel Gibson! (At least I do. )