It looks like fans could be getting a Furiosa led prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, but Charlize Theron won’t be reprising the role.
Charlize Theron has become an impressive name in the world of action movies with the comic book adaptation Atomic Blonde and the upcoming Netflix movie The Old Guard, but the one that started the trend was the acclaimed Mad Max: Fury Road. Theron played one of the main protagonists, Imperator Furiosa, and she was a hit with critics and fans alike.
Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth installment in the Mad Max franchise. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland where gas and water are rare commodities. The story follows Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and Imperator Furiosa as they end up working together to help the five wives of the villainous cult leader Immortan Joe escape his clutches. George Miller produced, directed, and co-wrote, along with Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris, the 2015 hit.
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Mad Max: Fury Road made $375.2 million at the box-office worldwide and was celebrated by fans and critics alike. The film is considered one of the best movies of the 2010’s and was nominated for ten Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. It won six awards, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Film Editing.
The Adventures of Furiosa Continue
Mad Max: Fury Road faced many delays in production, leaving it in development hell for years. Miller has talked about other Mad Max movies he wants to make for over a decade, notably a spin-off centered around Charlize Theron’s character Furiosa. Which makes sense given the character gained attention from fans and critics alike after Mad Max: Fury Road premiered.
And while fans are excited about seeing more of Furiosa and how she became the badass road warrior seen in Mad Max: Fury Road, it looks like Charlize Theron won’t be reprising the role.
Miller has stated that while the possibility of using de-aging technology was considered, ultimately that is not the direction the project will be going in. Miller cites that the technology isn’t quite at the level he wants yet, which is an understandable, if not disappointing development.
While Miller seems raring to go on the Furiosa prequel, he still needs to begin production on his upcoming film, Three Thousand Years of Longing. Which was meant to start production earlier this year, but was delayed due to the ongoing pandemic.
Considering Theron established the role and has made it clear that she loved playing the character Furiosa, many have been curious about her thoughts on the prequel. Theron recently spoke with THR about her new Netflix action movie The Old Guard and when she was asked about the Furiosa prequel, she admitted it was “a tough one to swallow.”
“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.”
Theron’s feelings on the matter are understandable, but she does make it clear that while she is disappointed, she respects his decision. Miller has stated that he wants to make a direct sequel to Mad Max: Fury Road as well, so hopefully Theron can reprise her role in the sequel. Whoever ends up taking on the role of Furiosa will have some big shoes to fill.
Although fans won’t see her as Furiosa in the Mad Max prequel, Theron will continue to be involved in the action movie genre. Later in the interview, she also mentioned that the Atomic Blonde sequel is in development and her new Netflix movie, The Old Guard, premieres Friday July 10.
What do you think about a Furiosa prequel without Charlize Theron? Would you want to see her in a sequel to Mad Max: Fury Road? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media.
Source: Comic Book Movie
