George Miller’s Furiosa prequel, based on the character played by Charlize Theron in the 2015 film Max Mad: Fury Road, has a release date. It is expected to hit theaters on June 23, 2023.
Miller had hoped to begin filming Furiosa shortly after the release of Fury Road, with additional plans for another solo Mad Max movie, subtitled Wasteland, also in the works. However, Miller and his production company sued Warner Brothers over a $7 million bonus for Fury Road, delaying these plans.
The new Furiosa film, which may have dropped the “Mad Max” heading, is a prequel and will not star Theron. Instead, Anya Taylor-Joy, whose popularity has exploded this year thanks to her starring role in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, will take over the lead role. (Killing Eve‘s Jody Comer was reportedly courted before Taylor-Joy’s casting.)
Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul Mateen II have also been cast. Their roles are not confirmed, but it’s possible that Hemsworth is playing Dementus, who is described as “breathtakingly handsome. An angel’s face, scarred by a deep forehead wound stitched together with shiny staples.” (Richard Madden was previously sought for the role.) Mateen’s character doesn’t have a name, but is reported to have “stature and presence.”
In July, after it was announced that Furiosa would be a prequel and that her services would not be needed, Theron told The Hollywood Reporter:
“It’s a tough one to swallow. Listen, I fully respect George, if not more so in the aftermath of making Fury Road with him. He’s a master, and I wish him nothing but the best. Yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking, for sure. I really love that character, and I’m so grateful that I had a small part in creating her. She will forever be someone I think of and reflect on fondly. Obviously, I would love to see that story continue, and if he feels like he has to go about it this way, then I trust him in that manner. We get so hung up on the smaller details that we forget the thing that we emotionally tap into has nothing to do with that minute thing that we’re focusing on.”
Mark your calendars! Only… two and a half years (almost) before Furiosa arrives! In the meantime, check back here at Geek Anything for updates as they surface!
Source: Cinema Blend
