Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are in negotiations to star in “Fury Road,” this century’s installment of the “Mad Max” movie series from writer-director George Miller.
Miller is producing with Doug Mitchell.
Despite his long association with the fourth movie, Mel Gibson is not reprising his iconic role of Max Rockatansky, the hardened ex-cop in a future beset by gas shortages and marauding gangs.
That job goes to Hardy, the British-born actor who stole scenes as Handsome Bob in Guy Ritchie’s “RocknRolla.” (”RocknRolla” has proved to be a launch pad for Hardy, who booked a gig in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” as well. He also starred in “Bronson.”)
Theron is playing the female lead.
While story details are being kept under wraps, the movie does take place a short while after the story detailed in 1985’s “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” which keeps Mad Max relatively young.
A shoot next summer in Australia is being eyed. The movie will be an Australian production which Warner Bros. will distribute.
“Road” has been in the works for more than a decade, with Gibson attached to star at one point. When the project finally began ramping up earlier this spring and summer, Miller began looking at and testing numerous actors who could step into the grim shoes previously worn by Gibson.
Courtenay Valenti is overseeing for the studio.
Theron, repped by WME and One Talent Management, appears next in this fall’s “The Road.”
Hardy is repped by CAA.
guy looks like a wuss , hes gonna be so unbelievable as mad max the ultimate bad a ss
Posted by: ender rose | October 29, 2009 at 04:38 PM
It should have been Eric Bana!
Posted by: -AG- | October 29, 2009 at 05:58 PM
"Guy looks like a wuss?" Haven't seen BRONSON then, eh?
Posted by: Feral boy | October 30, 2009 at 12:24 AM
he's the right guy. He's vicious in Bronson
Posted by: Alanb | October 30, 2009 at 07:44 AM
Hell, even Gibson would've done better than that wuss Hardy.Who are they aiming at? 6 year olds?
Posted by: Mike Buchanan | October 30, 2009 at 09:20 AM
Got to be Gibson !
Posted by: fury road | October 30, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Gibson is too old, and you shouldn't judge actors by their red carpet photos. Ever see Michael Sheen's red carpet photos compared to his work onscreen? Enough said. At least it wasn't Sam Worthington, he's getting too much face time in the big pictures these days.
Posted by: Joe | October 30, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I can't see this guy woopping the i-o-to-la of rock-n-roll-a.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1418379360 | October 30, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Yuck. Can't they find someone else that is better looking than that? Jensen Ackles is hot, tough and is a good actor.
Posted by: Deb | October 30, 2009 at 02:27 PM
I think this guy looks like a douch bag, and shouldnt put his talent into something that wont make any money, profit counts in hollywood, so look, study, understand whats going on in hollywood, money matters, not art
Posted by: John | October 30, 2009 at 02:55 PM
He's a good choice, those who don't believe should check Bronson.
Posted by: aye aye | October 30, 2009 at 03:25 PM
Look, fanboys - Tom was cast because of his role in Bronson. You have no business declaring him a "wuss" if you haven't seen that. Go watch it, get educated about who he is and what he can do onscreen, and realize the role is in great hands.
Posted by: Slightly Angry Max | October 30, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Fricking Mel Gibson is the freaking road warrior. Some poser girly-boy think he's going to become the road warrior cause he can swear real good in that stupid geeky Bronson movie.....THINK AGAIN!!!!
GIBSON OR BOYCOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Bond | October 30, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Mel is the reason the movies were a hit. no Mel no Mad max movie. It dies with him. Like Indy and Harrison Ford! Like Shatner and Kirk. New Kirk was a failure.
Come on Gibson quit smoking get in shape and be a man!
Ask Bruce, Sly, Arnold to come over and help you out..
Posted by: Movie fan | October 30, 2009 at 10:30 PM
cant they be bothered to discover an unknown in australia! and i dont mean another bogan actor- theres plenty of intelligent aussie men who are not just bruts
Posted by: burndowntinseltown | October 31, 2009 at 07:00 AM
they should have gerard butler do it.
Posted by: Dustin | October 31, 2009 at 11:01 AM
haha should have been sam rockwell!
Posted by: balls | October 31, 2009 at 11:46 AM
why are they making a new one whyyyyyy? leave it alone! i pray this doesnt turn into an over-produced high budget piece of crap. it will ruin it for alot of us. hes hot but he isnt mad max.
Posted by: why | October 31, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Granted, I don't know anything about this guy, but I've been a Max fan since I was a kid.
This seems like Dirty Harry without Clint Eastwood, or Indiana Jones without Harrision Ford, in my opinion.
Posted by: Rob Denham | October 31, 2009 at 08:03 PM