Mad Max: The Wasteland remains one of the most intriguing yet elusive projects in modern action cinema. First teased as a follow-up to 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road, the film has long been rumored, often discussed, and still sits in a state of limbo.
Despite a completed script and continued interest from director George Miller, a green light for production has yet to materialize.
The Uncertain Road Ahead: What’s Going On With Mad Max: The Wasteland?
A Script Exists, But It’s Not the Priority
Director George Miller has openly acknowledged that a full script for The Wasteland exists and that it would chronicle Max Rockatansky’s life in the year leading up to Fury Road. The film would serve more as a quiet, character-focused prequel than a direct sequel—a stark contrast to the over-the-top spectacle of Fury Road or the war-driven Furiosa.
Yet Miller has also confirmed that The Wasteland is not his next project. He has two other films in development that he’s prioritizing, making it clear that while The Wasteland isn’t dead, it’s not on the front burner either.
The Furiosa Effect
Much of The Wasteland‘s fate may rest on the performance of 2024’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, a spinoff centered on the character originally portrayed by Charlize Theron and played in the prequel by Anya Taylor-Joy. While Furiosa was met with strong critical reception and praise for its visual ambition and world-building, its box office results were underwhelming. As of now, it has not recouped its sizable production budget—a key factor that could give Warner Bros. cold feet about investing in another expensive installment.
Tom Hardy: On Board… Maybe
Tom Hardy, who embodied Max in Fury Road, has offered mixed signals. In interviews, Hardy has acknowledged that “talks have happened,” but tempered expectations by saying, “talks don’t mean things manifest.” Drawing comparisons to other unrealized projects like the Venom/Spider-Man crossover, Hardy’s comments suggest a cautious realism about The Wasteland ever coming to fruition.
However, sources close to the production have indicated that if the project does move forward soon, Hardy is expected to return.
Potential Story Elements
Although details remain under wraps, early hints about The Wasteland have suggested a stripped-down narrative focusing on Max rebuilding his iconic Interceptor vehicle, roaming a barren world scarred by chaos and collapse. Interestingly, some elements may be drawn from the 2015 Mad Max video game, which also explored Max’s isolation, mechanical obsession, and loss. Whether that storyline becomes canon remains to be seen, but the overlap in themes has not gone unnoticed by fans.
Timeline: When Could It Release?
Even under optimistic conditions, The Wasteland is unlikely to arrive before late 2027 or 2028. With Miller’s other commitments and the need for studio buy-in, any tangible movement on the film would likely need to occur within the next 12–18 months to hit that window.
Quick Summary:
- Script: Finished and written by George Miller.
- Focus: A prequel to Fury Road, centered on Max’s year before meeting Furiosa.
- Tom Hardy: Interested, but cautious; his return likely if the project moves forward soon.
- Box Office Pressure: Furiosa’s weak financial showing has reportedly made Warner Bros. hesitant.
- Director’s Schedule: Miller has other projects to complete first.
- Earliest Possible Release: Late 2027–2028.
At this point, Mad Max: The Wasteland exists more as a compelling possibility than an active production. Whether it becomes reality depends on a perfect storm of timing, interest, and financial risk-taking—something that’s never guaranteed in Hollywood’s wasteland. Would you still watch it if it finally got made?
Key Takeaways
- “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” was released in theaters on May 24, 2024, and is now available on Netflix.
- The prequel stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth as the warlord Dementus.
- Director George Miller premiered the film at Cannes Film Festival before its global theatrical release in May 2024.
Mad Max Movie Franchise History
Here’s a complete list of all the movies in the Mad Max franchise, in release order:
Original Trilogy (Mel Gibson Era)
- Mad Max (1979)
- Directed by: George Miller
- Plot: Set in a dystopian Australia, it follows Max Rockatansky, a police officer trying to maintain order as society begins to collapse.
- Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
- Directed by: George Miller
- Plot: Max roams the wasteland and becomes involved in protecting a small community from violent marauders.
- Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
- Directed by: George Miller & George Ogilvie
- Plot: Max enters the lawless barter town of Bartertown and battles in the infamous Thunderdome arena, later becoming a savior figure to a group of children.
Reboot / Revival Era (Tom Hardy & Anya Taylor-Joy)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
- Directed by: George Miller
- Plot: A reboot/revival of the franchise with Tom Hardy as Max and Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa. Together, they flee the tyrannical Immortan Joe across a desolate desert wasteland.
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
- Directed by: George Miller
- Plot: A prequel focusing on a younger Furiosa (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), chronicling her abduction and rise in the brutal Wasteland years before the events of Fury Road.
Upcoming / In Development
- Mad Max: The Wasteland(Status: Not Yet in Production)
- Intended to be a prequel to Fury Road, focused on Max’s journey before meeting Furiosa. George Miller has confirmed a script exists, but the project is on hold as of 2025.
Mad Max: Furiosa Overview and Information
Fans of the Mad Max franchise rejoiced when “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” hit theaters on May 24, 2024. This prequel to the critically acclaimed “Mad Max: Fury Road” explores the origin story of the fierce warrior Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. The film is now available to stream on Netflix as of late 2024, allowing viewers to experience George Miller’s dystopian vision from the comfort of their homes.
The movie features an impressive cast including Chris Hemsworth as the warlord Dementus, alongside Taylor-Joy in the titular role. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker George Miller, “Furiosa” chronicles the journey of a young woman snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers who falls into the hands of a biker horde. This epic tale premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2024, before its wider release.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is a prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road” that explores the origin story of the iconic character Imperator Furiosa. The film takes viewers into the post-apocalyptic wasteland and chronicles Furiosa’s journey from captivity to becoming a formidable warrior.
Plot and Setting
The film follows young Furiosa after she is kidnapped from the Green Place of Many Mothers, a peaceful community in the wasteland. She falls into the hands of a massive biker horde led by the ruthless warlord Dementus. The story tracks her survival and eventual rise to power.
The setting remains the harsh, brutal wasteland familiar to Mad Max fans. The narrative explores various territories including the Citadel, which later becomes central in “Fury Road.”
This prequel fills in crucial backstory gaps, showing how Furiosa developed into the fierce warrior audiences met in the previous film.
Cast and Characters
Anya Taylor-Joy stars as the younger version of Furiosa, taking on the challenging role originated by Charlize Theron. Her performance captures Furiosa’s transformation from victim to warrior.
Chris Hemsworth portrays the antagonist Warlord Dementus, presenting a dramatically different look from his usual roles. The cast also includes:
- Tom Burke in a supporting role
- Alyla Browne as child Furiosa
- Nathan Jones returning to the franchise
- Lachy Hulme and Elsa Pataky in supporting roles
The characters navigate complex power dynamics between rival tyrants and warring factions in the wasteland, with survival hanging in the balance at every turn.
Production Details
George Miller returned to direct this installment, maintaining creative control over his dystopian universe. Miller co-wrote the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” collaborator Nico Lathouris, ensuring continuity in storytelling and world-building.
Filming took place primarily in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. The production maintained the practical effects and stunt work that made “Fury Road” visually distinctive, while expanding the wasteland mythology.
Warner Bros. backed the project, which had been in development for several years following the critical success of “Fury Road.” The film represents Miller’s continued exploration of the post-apocalyptic world he first created in 1979.
Release Date and Distribution
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival on May 15, where it received a standing ovation. The theatrical release varied by region:
- United States: May 24, 2024
- France, Belgium, Denmark: May 22, 2024
- Switzerland: May 22, 2024
For home viewing, the film will be available on Max streaming service beginning August 16, 2024. This relatively quick transition to streaming follows industry trends of shortened theatrical windows.
International distribution includes availability on various platforms depending on regional streaming rights. The film’s release strategy balanced traditional theatrical distribution with the growing importance of streaming platforms.
Commercial and Critical Reception
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has made a significant impact on both the box office and among critics since its May 24, 2024 release. The film continues the franchise’s tradition of blending spectacular action sequences with compelling storytelling.
Box Office Performance
Furiosa opened with impressive numbers at the global box office, though exact figures are still developing as the film continues its theatrical run. The movie faced strong competition from other summer blockbusters but managed to carve out its audience based on the franchise’s loyal fanbase and positive word-of-mouth.
International markets have proven particularly receptive to the film, with strong showings in Australia (where it was filmed), Europe, and Asian territories. The 148-minute runtime hasn’t deterred audiences from experiencing George Miller’s latest entry in the apocalyptic saga on the big screen.
Production costs were substantial due to the film’s epic scale and extensive location shooting in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, making the commercial performance particularly important for Warner Bros.
Critical Acclaim
Furiosa has maintained the Mad Max franchise’s impressive trend of critical reception. The film earned strong scores on Rotten Tomatoes, continuing the series’ tradition of critical success. Critics have particularly praised Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance in the title role.
The movie’s debut at the Cannes Film Festival generated significant buzz, with reviewers highlighting the film’s:
- Stunning visual style
- Ambitious action sequences
- World-building that expands on the Mad Max universe
- Jenny Beavan’s distinctive costume design
Many critics noted how the film successfully works as both a standalone epic and a meaningful addition to the Mad Max saga, filling in Furiosa’s backstory while creating its own identity.
Awards and Acknowledgments
Though still early in its release cycle, Furiosa has already garnered attention for potential awards consideration. Technical categories like production design, visual effects, and costume design are areas where the film is expected to receive nominations during the upcoming awards season.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as young Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth’s portrayal of the warlord Dementus have both been singled out as potential acting nomination contenders. Director George Miller, an Academy Award winner, has once again demonstrated his mastery of the action genre.
The film’s epic scale and artistic vision position it well for recognition at industry events, following the pattern established by Mad Max: Fury Road, which received multiple Oscar nominations and wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga premiered in theaters on May 24, 2024. The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes and serves as a prequel to the critically acclaimed Mad Max: Fury Road.
When is the Furiosa movie scheduled to premiere?
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was released in theaters across the United States on May 24, 2024. Some theaters offered early screenings on Thursday, May 23, 2024, allowing eager fans to catch the film a day before the official release date.
The film had its world premiere earlier at select film festivals before its wide theatrical release.
Which platforms will offer streaming of the Furiosa film?
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is available on Netflix. After its theatrical run, the film was added to the streaming platform’s library.
Other digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play may offer the film for rental or purchase after its initial streaming exclusivity period.
Is there an official trailer available for the upcoming Furiosa movie?
Yes, Warner Bros. released official trailers for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga ahead of its theatrical premiere. The trailers showcase the film’s post-apocalyptic setting and action sequences.
These trailers can be found on Warner Bros.’ official YouTube channel and social media accounts. They offer glimpses into the origin story of the character first portrayed by Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road.
When can we expect Furiosa to be available for streaming on Netflix?
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is currently available on Netflix. The film was added to Netflix’s library in late 2024, allowing subscribers to stream both this prequel and Mad Max: Fury Road on the platform.
This makes it possible for viewers to experience both films back-to-back, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
What is the expected DVD release date for Furiosa?
The physical media release date for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga likely occurred in late 2024, following the standard distribution window after theatrical release.
DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD versions typically include bonus features such as behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and commentary from director George Miller.
How does Furiosa relate to the previous Mad Max films?
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga serves as a prequel to 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road. It tells the origin story of Imperator Furiosa, exploring her life before the events of Fury Road.
While Charlize Theron portrayed Furiosa in Fury Road, Anya Taylor-Joy takes on the role in this prequel. The film maintains the same post-apocalyptic world established in previous Mad Max films but focuses specifically on Furiosa’s journey.
The film was directed by George Miller, who has helmed all films in the Mad Max franchise since its beginning in 1979.
