Delving into the Wasteland Chronicles: Furiosa's Complex World

A fiery follow-up to the hit movie Fury Road, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga promises to take us back to that dreaded post-apocalyptic world. They were right to call it a saga, because this movie aims to explore the origin story of a character that has long been a fan-favourite.

Charlize Theron was first to play the iconic Imperator Furiosa in George Miller’s epic 2015 movie Fury Road. In the upcoming 2024 prequel, we’re going to see how everything began for the young Furiosa. Fans better get ready to be part of the moments and milestones that have made Furiosa who she is.

Set to play the younger just-as-fierce version of Imperator Furiosa is Anya Taylor-Joy. If you’ve seen her petite and delicate beauty on the red carpet and are doubtful about how she’s going to pull off such a gritty and intense role, you haven’t seen the movie’s first-look posters and trailer yet.

We recommend you do that right now before reading any further. In this article, we’re going to explore everything about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. In keeping with the movie’s name, things may take a turn for the insane as we share not only pertinent facts about this brilliant production but also a few extrapolations about the plot’s subtext in connection to the real world and the future of society and civilization itself.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – Script & Story

A quick pitstop at what came before won’t hurt. In Fury Road, we saw Max Rockatansky (played by Tom Hardy) joining forces with Imperator Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron). Together, they went up against one of the most prominent gang leaders, Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne), in that region of a post-apocalyptic USA.

That move sparked off a long and bloody road battle, featuring fiery abomination-machines, rage-fuelled fights and counters, and vengeful twists galore. In Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the young Furiosa will also experience harrowing guns-blazing action moments, only this time we will get to see what happened to her after the cultists kidnapped her from one of the few well-hidden ‘growth zones’ in that dying land.

Bear in mind, the upcoming film is set fifteen to twenty years before all the madness that unfurled in Mad Max: Fury Road. Abducted from the Green Place of Many Mothers (the lush zone we mentioned earlier), Furiosa ends up in the custody of a biker horde led by the despicable warlord Dementus.

Around this time, two Tyrants are battling for supremacy and control over the meagre resources available. The Citadel is the place to dominate if they are to hold on to any kind of power. A short while after Furiosa is kidnapped, she is subjected to trials and tribulations to test her survival skills.

All the while, the young Furiosa is silently burning with schemes as she tries to figure out ways to escape her captors and return to The Green Place where her real family lives. But to achieve that feat, Furiosa not only has to outwit ruthless warlords and their barbaric cult-followers, she also has to brave the Wasteland – an extensive stretch of desert which is all that’s left of the America we used to know.

Hidden Messages In The Mad Max Movies

The most evident message of all can found in the movie’s detailed post-apocalyptic setting. How did things become that way for the U. S.? Climate Change and loss of resources led to a barbaric new era, as seen in the 2015 Mad Max movie starring Tom Hardy, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and of course Charlize Theron.

We are already seeing how war (irl) is adding to the already rising pressures the world is facing when it comes to equitable access to food and water. Resources are being stretched thin because of human-induced Climate Change. If you’re wondering why the price of certain foods has gone up or why you can no longer get your favourite ingredients through the usual channels, you have Climate Change to thank for both.

In the Mad Max movies, the idea of a resource-deprived society is brought into full focus. By presenting a dead world made up of a few green zones but mostly desert, George Miller has added an artistic chapter detailing how a society might be broken by its own tendencies to pollute, ravage, and exploit.

Moreover, the main currency in this post-apocalyptic United States is not oil but water. Anyone who controls enough of it gains adequate power and influence over the other cultist gangs. We see plenty of such politics revolving around Immortan Joe.

Yet another intriguing element in the Mad Max movies is that fossil fuels are still available, but dwindling as well. The cultists’ vehicles run on fossil fuels, after all, not electric batteries. This is yet another potent message tucked away in the script.

The message is that fossil fuels don’t guarantee social happiness and civilizational safety. Resources we take for granted are the real bedrock of society. And human-induced Climate Change will only make it harder for us to get those resources. Shockingly enough, major world governments are still prioritizing profits over people despite scientists and Climate Emergency activists all over the world demanding urgent policies to phase out fossil fuels before it’s too late.

In a lot of ways, it looks we’re all already living in a Mad Max world. Now all that’s left is to experience the full-blown madness of it all, much in keeping with George Miller’s dark and gloomy take on a post-apocalyptic U. S. A.

Mad Max Comic Books

The comics are not the original sources of these stories, by the way. George Miller wrote one called Mad Max: Fury Road, which was subtitled Prelude to the Blockbuster Film. The reference is to the 2015 movie after the same name.

The comic was published that same year by Vertigo. Here are all four of the main graphic novels connected to the Mad Max universe (all published in 2015):

Mad Max Fury Road: Furiosa #1
Mad Max Fury Road: Max #1
Mad Max Fury Road: Max #2
Mad Max Fury Road: Nux & Immortan Joe #1

These comics make for an interesting read, especially if you are a diehard fan of the Mad Max franchise. Also, the artwork and storytelling styles are distinct, adding to one’s appreciation of the movies and its unforgettable characters.

Inspirations Behind The Latest Mad Max Movies

Most people will be surprised to know that the very first Mad Max movie was released in 1979! That story was not only ahead of its time, it also became a major source of inspiration for the 2015 movie and, by extension, the upcoming 2024 prequel.

Also, bear in mind, there’s a 2015 video game based entirely on the Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy starrer Mad Max: Fury Road. The game is available to play on various platforms and is not in any way a precursor to the latest Mad Max movies.

What Does Charlize Theron Think About Anya Taylor-Joy Playing Her Iconic Character?

Before we share more, just remember this is Charlize Theron we’re talking about. She has proven not only to be a remarkable actress – an Oscar winner, to boot – but also a versatile performer who has done a range of different roles over the decades.

So it should come as no surprise to know that she expressed some disappointment about not being re-cast in the role of Furiosa. But she also presumably understood the time-rewind angle in which the film team decided to go. On July 6 2020, Charlize Theron stated to The Hollywood Reporter, “Yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking, for sure.

I really love that character, and I’m so grateful that I had a small part in creating her. She will forever be someone I think of and reflect on fondly.”Two years later, in 2022, Anya Taylor-Joy confirmed that she and Theron had no beef.

Theron also stated that she understood why Taylor-Joy didn’t tell her anything after accepting the role. Where Charlize has already proven her worth as Furiosa, Anya is now going to follow in her powerful boot-steps. From Mad Max: Fury Road to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, we’re seeing a grand and epic unfolding of an iconic character’s life and struggles, which she overcomes to attain glory and, dare we say it, peace.

Get Ready To “Witness Her!”

We want to take another small detour to talk about one of the most misunderstood elements in the Mad Max stories. The idea of ‘female breeders’ has certainly stepped on more than a few toes, to say nothing of its negative impact among feminists.

Let’s explore what this concept is all about and share our two cents on the matter so people can gain a comprehensive picture of what this plot element implies and signifies. In Fury Road, we saw Theron-Furiosa serving as Immortan’s war captain.

She was not one of the unfortunate women he held in strict custody whose only purpose was to birth children, who would in turn grow to shore up his cultist army. In the Mad Max storyline, water is not the only precious resource but life itself.

Without children to carry on the bloodline of the ruling warlords and add to the overall census, an already endangered human population will go extinct in a matter of seasons. In this context – and without considering any other, pro-life sentiments included – the idea of having ‘female breeders’ – and protecting them with a vengeance – makes scientific (biological) sense.

That said, we also believe the ‘breeders’ are forced into a highly oppressive and demeaning existence, especially considering how those women were portrayed in the Mad Max: Fury Road movie. We certainly understand and support Theron-Furiosa’s decision to save the women held against their will by Immortan Joe.

With Anya-Furiosa, we’ll be going back in time to probably see what shaped her decisions and maybe also learn how she escaped becoming one of the female breeders in Immortan’s village. The plot in Fury Road took place over three days and two nights.

But, as the new movie’s name suggests, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is going to be just that, a saga. This means we’re most probably going to ‘witness’ some clever time lapses and multiple character arcs. If this happens in the 2024 prequel, we’re sure fans will get a comprehensive view of everything Furiosa was, has had to endure, and will later come to survive as a woman, war captain, and rebel.

Will Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Have Chapters?

In one movie, George Miller has promised to showcase three of Furiosa’s most integral life stages. According to him, the movie will contain three Acts:

Act I: Her Odyssey Begins
Act II: A Warrior Awakens
Act III: Ride Into Vengeance

Suffice to say, this is a saga worth waiting for. It’s going to be a joy ride for fans and Furiosa enthusiasts, because with three wholesome Acts to tell one character’s story we can expect a multi-flavoured entertainment treat.

Main Characters in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

This movie is popular in large part thanks to its rich roster of characters, each of whom has contributed something outstanding to the script. Let’s see who some of the main players will be in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

1. Furiosa

The focal point around whom the entire plot revolves, Furiosa is a fierce character who has struggled and suffered so much while still young. This movie covers her rise and rise in Immortan Joe’s ranks, including how she achieves the title of Imperator.

In addition to being Anya Taylor-Joy’s first action-heavy role, Furiosa is also one of her most surprising. Fans and sundry have gotten used to seeing and admiring Anya’s delicate beauty, but it looks like she’s going to give us hell and then some when this movie hits theatres.

Furiosa is played by Anya Taylor-Joy in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

2. Warlord Dementus

Leading a biker gang is a warlord named Dementus. As his name suggests, this character is quite insane, in the manipulative sense of the word. He is also inordinately charismatic, lending him an aura that’s equal parts amusing and unnerving.

Chris Hemsworth’s unrecognizable look as Dementus has added to the accumulating hype for this movie. Chris himself has called this character “a violent, insane, brutal person that is born from the wasteland. He’s a product of his environment.”

Warlord Dementus is played by Chris Hemsworth in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

3. Immortan Joe

Even today, we are unsure as to the real identity of Immortan Joe. His mask and mutation have made sure of that. But even in the real world, it looks like we are uncertain of who’s going to play that iconic role.

Immortan was a powerful presence in the Fury Road movie. Fans wanted to see Hugh Keays-Byrne reprise his role, perhaps with de-aging CG thrown in. Sadly, the actor passed away in 2020. Right now, we see Lachy Hulme listed as the character on the movie’s IMDb page, but only time will tell.

Remember, Immortan is not the big bad at the heart of the 2024 prequel. That dishonour belongs entirely to Chris Hemsworth’s Warlord Dementus.

4. Rictus Erectus

From a suggestive name to an aggressive attitude, this character is Immortan Joe’s youngest son. Fans will recognize him as one of the lead chasers in Fury Road where he almost derailed Theron-Furiosa’s schemes. This time round, we’ll be seeing his younger version and learn just how he grew up so twisted with rage.

Nathan Jones has taken up this potent role. If you think the name sounds familiar, that’s because Nathan is a former WWE professional. He’s also a power-lifting champ and has appeared in movies like Mortal Kombat and Conan the Barbarian.

In fact, he’s reprising his role from the 2015 movie.

Rictus Erectus is played by Nathan Jones in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

5. Miscellaneous

For starters, we know Tom Burke is going to get a juicy role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. But we don’t yet know what that role will be. His previous acting credits speak volumes on his behalf. Tom has done great work in productions like The Musketeers, War & Peace, The Wonder, Mank, and Only God Forgives.

Our guess is he might be playing either the young Immortan Joe or a surprise-reveal character close to Furiosa’s heart – only time will tell. Angus Sampson has been cast in the role of The Organic Mechanic. Alyla Browne will be the kid version of Furiosa.

Daniel Webber will be War Boy. Goran D. Kleut is going to tackle the role of The Octoboss.

Where Is Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Streaming?

As of now, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is hitting theatres first. We may learn of a possible streaming date only after the movie goes up on the big screen.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Release Date

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is scheduled to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 15th May 2024. Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures have slated the film for theatrical release in Australia on 23rd May 2024 and in the United States on 24th May 2024.