Mad Max franchise creator George Miller opens up about why epic stories like Furiosa's will always be relevant to our world

Virgin Radio

18 May 2024, 15:10

The legendary director discusses the enduring relevance of his post-apocalyptic tales and his excitement for the new prequel, Furiosa

Buckle up, Mad Max fans! George Miller, the mastermind behind the iconic franchise, is back with another high-octane adventure.

With over 40 years of experience steering this dystopian juggernaut, Miller’s latest instalment, Furiosa, promises to be a thrilling prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road.

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Featuring Anya Taylor-Joy as the fierce Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth as the villainous warlord Dementus, this film is set to turbocharge our cinematic experience.

Set two decades before the events of Fury Road, Furiosa follows a young warrior named Furiosa, snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers by a biker horde led by Dementus.

The official synopsis teases a gripping journey: "Snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and into the hands of a biker horde led by the warlord Dementus, Furiosa survives many trials as she plots a way back home through the Wasteland."

Miller, speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press at the premiere, shared why these epic, post-apocalyptic stories continue to resonate with audiences today.

“The world may change, but the essence of human struggle and survival remains the same,” he said. “These stories tap into our primal fears and hopes, making them eternally relevant.”

The film, serving as both a spin-off and prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Imperator Furiosa, with Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke also starring.

Miller had high praise for Taylor-Joy, noting her ability to embody the physical and emotional demands of Furiosa.

“We needed somebody who had to be technically skilled, physically skilled, emotionally and intellectually skilled, athletic. A partner in mind and body. They, the two of them had those qualities. I was really, really fortunate that they could do it.”

Taylor-Joy, known for her intense performances, spoke about the unique challenges of filming under Miller’s direction.

“He had a very, very strict idea of what Furiosa’s war face looked like, and that only allowed me my eyes for a large portion of the movie. It was very much ‘mouth closed, no emotion, speak with your eyes’. That’s it, that’s all you have,” she shared with the New York Times.

Despite the constraints, she advocated for moments of raw emotion, adding, “I am a really strong advocate of female rage.”

Tom Burke, who plays the war rig driver Praetorian Jack, described the role as a dream come true. Even when an action sequence took a whopping 77 days to shoot, Burke embraced the challenge, praising Miller’s supportive environment.

“It’s easy to walk onto a set like that and just feel like you have to be cool. And actually, he doesn’t want that, he wants to see people affecting each other,” Burke said.

Chris Hemsworth, stepping into the villainous role of Dementus, relished the opportunity to play against type. Known for his superhero antics as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hemsworth found freedom in the unpredictability of playing a bad guy.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had, you know. Having played the superhero for years, which I’ve loved. But there are limitations being the hero and the good guy. Whereas the villain’s allowed to be contradictory, he’s allowed to be a little more sort of unpredictable. And the rules aren’t really set in stone.”

As Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga revs up for its release next Friday, 24th May, fans can expect another epic journey through the desolate Wasteland.

With George Miller at the helm and a stellar cast ready to bring the chaos, this film is sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

So, get ready to strap in and ride into the fury—because in the world of Mad Max, the road to survival is always a wild one.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is out next Friday, 24th May.