‘Mad Max’ Prequel Idea Pitched by ‘The Order’ & ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Director Justin Kurzel

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As a dedicated admirer of the cinematic world, I must express my profound excitement at the prospect of delving deeper into the intricate tapestry of the Mad Max universe. Justin Kurzel, with his impressive resume, seems to be the perfect candidate to explore the untold stories that lie before 1979’s Mad Max.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga retraces the life story of its title character, Imperator Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, leading audiences back before the groundbreaking Fury Road, directed by George Miller. However, director Justin Kurzel (known for The Order and Assassin’s Creed) wishes to delve even deeper into the past – beyond 1979. While newcomers might recognize Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky, the central figure in the Mad Max universe, Mel Gibson is firmly associated with the role by many long-time fans. Kurzel aims to explore how Gibson’s interpretation of Max evolved into his current state.

I’m really intrigued by the world depicted in the movie with the Nightrider, before Mad Max. I’ve often thought about discussing this with George [Miller] and exploring the idea of a pre-Mad Max 1 setting. This is something that has always piqued my curiosity because the film had such a significant impact on me… The Mad Max franchise is fantastic, but I’m particularly interested in understanding the events leading up to the first movie because it lays such a rich foundation. Additionally, that period in Australia was quite fascinating as well.

Another ‘Mad Max’ Prequel Is Already Happening

Justin Kurzel is mainly recognized for helming “Nitram,” “Ellis Park,” the underappreciated “Macbeth” (2015), and “Assassin’s Creed.” Given the current setting of the Mad Max series, a desolate, almost surreal desert apocalypse, it seems challenging to envision the franchise returning to Miller’s initial vision of a ruined yet still identifiable Australia. The original Mad Max films and their following sequels were set in the 1980s, with the first installment introducing the phrase “A few years from now.” However, the timeline of the Mad Max series is as convoluted as Fox’s X-Men universe, with Fury Road acting as sequel, reboot, and retelling simultaneously.

Although a direct prequel from Justin Kurzel’s original “Mad Max” might not be imminent, there’s another “Mad Max” film in development. During the press tour for “Furiosa”, George Miller hinted that he’s been working on a potential prequel movie focusing on Max Rockatansky. In his own words, “I’m still pondering over ‘The Wasteland’, but I’ll wait to see how ‘Furiosa’ is received, and if everything aligns properly, we’ll move forward with it.

Since the premiere of “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the director hasn’t provided significant updates. Regrettably, the movie didn’t fare well financially, managing only $173 million globally. This poor performance might make Warner Bros. reluctant to revisit The Wasteland. In a different conversation, Tom Hardy expressed his straightforward view on the prequel’s prospects, stating, “I don’t think that’s in the cards.

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2024-12-02 18:01