The movie Mad Max: The Wasteland has reportedly been given the green light and will begin filming this fall. Writer/director George Miller’s first Mad Max film was released in 1979, starring Mel Gibson as the titular character in a post-apocalyptic world, the likes of which no one had ever seen. Its unique look and feel warranted the creation of two sequels, which were released in the 1980s. 20 years later, Miller revisited his franchise with a fourth film, Mad Max: Fury Road, starring Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky and Charlize Theron as a new character, Furiosa.
Not only was 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road a critical and commercial success but is considered by many to be one of the greatest action films of all time. Mad Max: Fury Road astutely updated the stylistic appeal of previous Mad Max entries; there was immediate talk of sequels and spinoffs. Miller had plans for two more films starring Hardy’s Max (Hardy having signed a 4-film deal) and a Furiosa spinoff starring Theron. Despite the franchise’s demand and pop culture resurgence, legal disputes between Miller and Warner Bros. have slowed the development of a fifth film.
According to Geeks WorldWide, Miller is finally ready to continue his apocalyptic franchise: a sequel has reportedly been approved by the studio and can begin filming in Australia in late fall. However, it is unclear whether Hardy or Theron will be returning to the franchise. Not only do the two actors have busy schedules, but Miller is currently set to begin filming Three Thousand Years of Longing starring Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton next month.
Miller has always been confident in the future of his Mad Max franchise. Last year, he reasserted that he had two stories in his back pocket involving the character of Mad Max and a Furiosa story. He even foresaw his melodrama with Warner Bros. coming to an end thanks to the calming AT&T merger. Miller’s confidence is reassuring, especially considering the amount of time Mad Max: Fury Road spent in development purgatory. Miller at one point even pondered making that film using animation. Miller appears to be a storyteller committed to that which he creates. Still, fans should keep their fingers crossed for the stars to align this fall.
Mad Max: The Wasteland, the film's working title, has been on Hardy’s IMDB page for quite some time; he's supposedly just waiting for the call. It is advertised as a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road and will most likely not feature Theron’s Furiosa. Hardy is currently filming Andy Serkis’ Venom 2. Serkis recently confirmed that they are far along into shooting on the film. That news, compiled with Miller’s rumored green light, makes the filming of Mad Max: The Wasteland feel more likely—freeing both Miller and Hardy up around the same time. Regardless, it appears a fifth film is happening and if it is approached with even half the ambition of Mad Max: Fury Road, should be one hell of a ride.
Source: Geeks WorldWide