While there have been rumblings about this project for several years now, director George Miller has finally confirmed that he is indeed in the very early stages of development on a Mad Max: Fury Road prequel that will center on the fan-favorite Furiosa, who was played by Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron in the 2015 action blockbuster.
However, while the role was made iconic by Theron, Miller has also confirmed that the Oscar-winner will not be back to reprise her role and that he's already actively auditioning younger actresses in their 20s to take over the part.
Last we heard, The New Mutants star Anya Taylor-Joy was rumored to be a frontrunner for the highly coveted role.
Miller admits he did intend on bringing Theron back, but ultimately came to the realization that the de-aging technology isn't quite there yet for a big-budget action movie.
“For the longest time, I thought we could just use CG de-aging on Charlize, but I don’t think we’re nearly there yet. Despite the valiant attempts on ‘The Irishman,’ I think there’s still an uncanny valley. Everyone is on the verge of solving it, particular Japanese video-game designers, but there’s still a pretty wide valley, I believe.”
The screenplay was completed by Miller and his writing partner Nick Lathouris before Mad Max: Fury Road had even begun principal photography, but a production start date has not yet been set. So, the film is still likely a few years out as outside of casting, Miller first has to complete Three Thousand Years of Longing, starring Tilda Swinton (Doctor Strange; Avengers: Endgame) and Idris Elba (Thor: Ragnarok; Avengers: Infinity War), which was to begin filming this spring before being pushed back due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, Miller has revealed that both Oscar-winning production designer Colin Gibson and Oscar-winning cinematographer John Seale will be back for the untitled Furiosa prequel.