We haven’t talked much about the Mad Max sequel, Fury Road, probably because we’ve been hearing rumors about it since 2007. At one point it was supposedly being developed as a 3D film in conjunction with a videogame, and was reported to have a $100 million budget. No word on the videogame thing, but all the other stuff seems to have been true. It stars pillow-lipped superstar Tom Hardy (who, to the production’s credit, was hired long before The Dark Knight Rises made him a household name), Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult, and principal photography, under original Mad Max (and Happy Feet) director George Miller, wrapped Monday. The picture above (via AICN) is a gift Hardy gave the crew on the last day of shooting. A signed picture of yourself? Jeez, presumptuous much? Why not a used hanky? Anyway, Mad Max: Fury Road is scheduled to open in 2014, presumably after a long break to add vroom-vroom sounds.

Mad Max: Fury Road has completed principal photography after a six-month shoot in Namibia and South Africa.
It is the fourth film in the Mad Max series, which originally made Mel Gibson a star, and will attempt to revive the apocalyptic franchise after almost 30 years. Fury Road follows Mad Max (Tom Hardy), who is caught up with a group of people fleeing across the Wasteland in a war rig driven by Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), according to a report by South Africa’s National Film & Video Foundation. [IF.au via ThePlaylist]

So, uh… is it cold in this future desert? Because he looks a little overdressed. Scarves to protect your delicate neck meat from a sun and sand burn seems a tad precious for a post-apocalyptic wasteland, but maybe it’s must me.

In any case, if “Fury Road” succeeds in reviving the franchise, they’re going to need new titles. Lots of them. No one uses simple numbers anymore. Luckily, I’ve got some suggestions:

Read the rest of this entry »

British actor Tom Hardy, currently drawing rave reviews for his work in Bronson, has been confirmed as the lead in Mad Max 4: Fury Road, opposite Charlize Theron.  Written and directed by George Miller, it will be the first Mad Max film since 1985.  No word yet on plot or who Charlize Theron would play but oh God I’m so bored by this story.

[Variety]

A fourth Mad Max movie has been threatened for a long time now, but I didn’t start to take it seriously until The Daily Telegraph confirmed the production and director George Miller (who directed the first three) went on ABC news (the Australian one) to talk about it.  He says that despite the recent rumors about Charlize Theron and Bronson‘s Tom Hardy, no cast is confirmed.  I’ve got the whole clip after the jump, but I wouldn’t recommend watching it because it’s really boring and the screencap above is about as much of the cars as you’re going to see.

Why am I not excited for Mad Max 4?  Because they’ve already made this movie 100 times.  George Miller made it three times himself.  Neil Marshall made it last year, it was called Doomsday (for comparison, watch this clip and then watch this), with Rhona Mitra playing Mel Gibson.  The original starred Mel Gibson as a cop wandering through a barren wasteland following an apocalyptic war.  It’s a timeless story, because as any Gibson will tell you, the Jews are always starting wars.  The only solution is having an awesome car.

UPDATE: THR has seemingly confirmed the production, reporting it has $100 million budget without studio backing. And no, I don’t know how that’s possible either.
Read the rest of this entry »

According to MovieHole, George Miller will soon have a lot more on his mind than just Justice League, being that he’ll be shooting three movies concurrently. (Meanwhile, Brett Ratner will be eating three plates of nachos, con queso).

That’s right, he’ll be directing Justice League of America (starring the little kid from Braveheart), Mad Max 4: Fury Road, and Happy Feet 2 within the span of six months.   

When a director who normally goes five years between projects is suddenly directing three at the same time, all of them sequels or spinoffs, it can only mean one thing: the man has a severe addiction to hard drugs and he’s tired of doing unspeakable things to strangers in bathroom stalls or truck stops to get them.  

George Miller you poor sad bastard you.  The best thing we can do for him now is not see any of his movies.  He needs to hit rock bottom before he’ll get help on his own.  He’ll be in my prayers.