io9: mad max 4

Mad Max Goes Down Fury Road

Graeme McMillan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:00:00 PDT

There's been a lot of movement on the Mad Max 4 front in the last few days, including confirmation of the movie's title, a date being given for production beginning, and director George Miller talking to reporters about the project.

The Hollywood Reporter reported on the official announcement that the movie - to be called Fury Road - will be shot in Sydney and New South Wales next year, with a budget in the region of $100 million. In a television interview with reporters, director George Miller showed off the in-progress creation of the movie's vehicles, and talked about his aim for the movie:

We're trying to do stuff that I believe people haven't done before... We want to nudge the genre a little bit. The world has changed since then, it's been thirty years since we made the original ones and the world has changed since then, cinema has changed since then, and action movies have changed since then, so we're really trying to figure out the best way that we can really lift the bar a little bit.

He was a bit more tightlipped when it came to rumors of casting, however, saying "I'm still in the middle of casting, despite the stuff that's been on the net... No decision has been made yet." So maybe rumored stars Charlize Theron and Sam Worthington still have a chance.

The full interview is below:

(Via)

Is Charlize Theron Taking Mel Gibson's Place As Mad Max Star?

Meredith Woerner — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:00 PDT

Rumors are flying that Mad Max 4 has cast Charlize Theron as its female lead. And brought in Tom "Picard's clone" Hardy, to replace the aged Mel. Does this mean the new Max may have a "female road-warrior" storyline?

Eonline has broken the news that Theron is director George Miller's number-one pick for the female lead in Mad Max 4. And with end-of-the-world features being all the rage, he may score this Oscar-winning actress.

Tom Hardy, who was in Star Trek Nemisis and Black Hawk Down, is rumored to be taking on the role of "Mad" Max Rockatansk. We're happy that there will be a younger Max who won't get winded chasing down evil biker gangs, and Mel Gibson won't carry through on his threat to change his character's name to "Fat Max."

We just hope they can convince Mel to cameo somewhere. Maybe he can come back as Thunderdome's newest law-maker, replacing Aunty Entity.

But by casting such a well known actress to play the mysterious and female lead role, you have to wonder if this movie will be more of "from the eyes of a she-warrior" story, with Max along for the ride? Either way, if you pay for Theron, I'm sure you're going to want to get your money's worth of screentime. Sadly there are little to no details about the plot, as actors auditioning for the role haven't even been told their character's full names.

Will Segments Of George Miller's Mad Max 4 Be Live Action?

Meredith Woerner — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 PDT

Two weeks ago, we found out that the next Mad Max from director George Miller would be fully animated. But new reports have us hoping that maybe a few moments will be live-action after all.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that:

Scouting for locations is already happening, and specialized technicians have been approached.

This would be in Australia, naturally. Please, please, please let this be for something other than reference stills for animators. I would absolutely love to see some real life end-of-the world fights and chases. Does anyone know anything more about this? I'm desperately hoping for a Sam Worthington-starring flick, where he eventually runs into Mel Gibson, playing an Obi-Wan Kenobi-type character. But I'm not getting my hopes up until we hear more from Miller.

The Power Of Science Fiction Could Save Mel Gibson's Career

Meredith Woerner — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:00:00 PDT

Mel Gibson faces a rare opportunity to pull himself out of the career black hole he's fallen into. Rumors of Mad Max 4 are circulating again and this time it sounds like the movie has some proper funding, care of Omnilab. Mel, it's time to put aside your delusions that you can be an arty movie maker, and go back to doing what you do best, killing post-apocalyptic biker gangs. And maybe, just maybe America will remember why we put up with you in the first place. Click through for new and old rumors on Mad Max 4: Fury Road.

Mad Max 4 has been talked about for years, In 2002 according to First Magazine (an Asian movie mag), Gibson was attached to the 4th Max after heavy contract negotiations. Gibson also had big dreams of getting Robert Downey Jr. in the movie somewhere as well. Heath Ledger was also constantly getting linked to the 4th Max installment, but never confirmed these rumors.

There was a lot of talk about Mad Max 4, but not a lot of action. Now a press release from Omnilab Media is stating that Max is going to get some real funding, and will continue to work with original director George Miller.

Omnilab Media has also created a new digital film company with Kennedy Miller Mitchell to use groundbreaking digital storytelling, animation and visual effects. This will include HAPPY FEET 2, BABE 3 & MAD MAX 4 and a range of other blue-chip properties in development.

I'm all for the return of Mel Gibson, but only if he dons the leather jacket and kills evil biker gangs for my pleasure. This is Mel's chance to prove to the world that he isn't a psychotic pretentious nut-bag. Let the world laugh with you Mel, while you make Mad Max 4. Tom Cruise figured this out, and if you watched Tropic Thunder, you know why. Come on Mel, put on the old leather jacket again, it will be good for you.

[Slashfilm]