Mad Max: Fury Road Sequels Likely Won’t Include Furiosa, Fool
Unpopular opinion: I don’t think George Miller should make another Mad Max film. The director’s recent comments about Charlize Theron’s Furiosa inclusion notwithstanding, I’m concerned about him replicating the magic that was Fury Road.
I had already been mulling this over since I first saw the film but here’s what has everyone abuzz currently. Speaking to Digital Spy Miller said of Theron’s return:
I’m not sure, is the answer. She’s not in the Mad Max [sequel] story, but one of the stories there’s an interaction between [Max and Furiosa]. I can’t really say more than that because it’s still in progress.
Miller actually had so much time to work on Fury Road, he has said he now has two extra scripts. But upon *ahem* witnessing the end of the film, I knew it wouldn’t make sense to bring Furiosa back for another one. Her story was really just beginning but Max was leaving, he wasn’t meant to be a part of it. And to be fair, that was true to form for the franchise.
I recall upon first hearing about Theron and Tom Hardy being cast in Fury Road thinking Miller was pulling a switcheroo on audiences, that Theron was actually Max this time around. That didn’t turn out to be the case but she still wound up being the true star of the film and in my mind, certainly stole the show. Another Mad Max film without her would leave me feeling like something was missing. As fantastic as she and the character were, I don’t even think I’d want to see Theron pick up where the story left off in a Furiosa solo film as sometimes imagination is better than reality.
It’s important to remember, Mad Mad: Fury Road was kind of a perfect storm. There was no reason rebooting a film series which had been over for 30 years should have worked the way it did. Miller had been producing children’s films like Babe: Pig in the City, Happy Feet, and Happy Feet 2 and reboots, such as they are, aren’t ever a sure bet in Hollywood. But the story was a great one (and perhaps the time spent on said script helped), the stunts, visual effects, and yes, even the controversy surrounding the film all made for lightning in a bottle. There is little doubt in my mind that another Fury Road is improbable.
Here’s the full Digital Spy interview where Miller gives a few other tidbits about production as well.
What do you think, does the world need another Mad Max?
[Editor’s Note: affiliate link] You can purchase the film on Amazon right here!
Anyone got any guesses as to what they like to see in a sequel? I’ve come up with a no: no slave girls. We’ve done it, it was a good story, move on.
As the news broke and people were expressing general unhappiness about not getting more Furiosa, my first reaction was, “But her story was told, let’s tell the NEXT story.” I view the series as more of anthology, and the potential for seeing the stories of other women in this setting and utilizing Max as an established pov, one that rejects toxic masculinity…:Grover FLAIL:
“and the potential for seeing the stories of other women”
Yep, that’s what I’m thinking, too. I love Furiosa like everyone else, but unless Mad Max is going to evolve into a multi-movie cinematic universe like Marvel, it’s more valuable to see more women than just one.
I agree. And since the story is more of a ride or a fable, I don’t think one location or character has enough…stability to build a foundation on. Max needs to continue his journey, meet other people.