io9: mel gibson

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.

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]

J.J. Abrams' Steampunk Cryo-Chamber

Charlie Jane Anders — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:45:34 PST

Whoever designed Forever Young's 1939 cryogenic chamber, with its brass valves and pipes, totally deserves an award. One of J.J. Abrams' first scripts, Young is about a test pilot (Mel Gibson) whose girlfriend goes into a coma. Gibson can't stand to watch his fiancee deteriorate with only Glenn Miller for musical accompaniment, so he asks to be frozen until such time as the Smiths can write the song "Girlfriend In A Coma." He's found 50 years later by Elijah Wood and his mom, Jamie Lee Curtis, who randomly take care of him. And then, after his cryo-youth "wears off" (huh?), he's finally reunited with coma-girl. But really, this clip is the only cool moment in the film. The weird montage over the faceless scientists' voices almost seems like a moment from Lost.

Future Cities Will Run On Pig Shit

charliejane — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:10:01 PST

Forget wind turbines and solar panels. In the ragtag future, Tina Turner will get her mood lighting from hog lagoons. In Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, an army of pigs swarms beneath Bartertown, one of the last (semi) civilized outposts. The pigshit produces methane, a gas which keeps the city's power going. The only thing anybody remembers from the movie is the "Two men enter" chant, but that huge chaotic tapestry of pigs is the film's true moment of innovation.

Must See: Mad Max II (AKA The Road Warrior)

Annalee Newitz — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:15:50 PDT

Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale. Written by Jason Shankel.

Title: Mad Max II (aka The Road Warrior)
Date: 1981

Vitals: In the post-apocalypse, Mad Mel reluctantly helps a group of whiny, liberal survivors outrun the Humungous and his gang of bi-curious mutant bikers.

Famous names: Mel Gibson

Crunchy goodness: rate 5

Sights you'll never unsee: You really don't have anything to wear under those chaps? Really?

Life lesson: Never help people. You'll lose your car and your dog.

Deadliest spoiler: The juice, the precious juice, was hidden in the school bus. Apparently, Mad Mel couldn't be trusted with this information.

Mad Max Movies FAQ

Must See: Mad Max

Annalee Newitz — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:12:52 PDT

Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale. Written by Jason Shankel.

Title: Mad Max
Date: 1979

Vitals: Mel Gibson's family is killed by reckless drivers who spout pseudo-intellectual/spiritual nonsense and violate each other's sexual boundaries. This role had no apparent long-term effect on Mr. Gibson.

Famous names: Mel Gibson

Crunchy goodness: 5

Sequels: Mad Max II (aka The Road Warrior), Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Sights you'll never unsee: Anorexic, post-apocalyptic apparent space-lizard lounge singer threatening to "stick to (me) like a tire on a licorice road." That sounds painful.

Life lesson: Babies are not very effective speed bumps.

Mad Max Movies FAQ