George Miller, the visionary behind “Mad Max,” initially considered using de-aging technology to allow Charlize Theron to reprise her role as Imperator Furiosa in the upcoming prequel, “Furiosa.” However, he ultimately decided against it, feeling that the technology would not be convincing enough for audiences. Instead, he cast rising star Anya Taylor-Joy in the role. In a Variety cover story, Miller discussed his decision-making process and expressed his interest in the advancements in effects tools in the digital era of filmmaking.
Miller noted that while he admired the de-aging technology used in films like “The Irishman” and “Gemini Man,” he ultimately felt it would not be suitable for the story he wanted to tell in “Furiosa.” The film will follow the character from a young age to adulthood, and Miller believed that de-aging Theron for such a significant age range would have been a difficult task. Thus, he chose to cast Taylor-Joy, who impressed him with her talent and physical presence during her audition.
Taylor-Joy, known for her role in Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” embraced the challenge of stepping into a role made famous by Theron. Miller was impressed by her performance and felt she embodied the qualities needed to portray Furiosa in the harsh wasteland setting of the film. The director praised Taylor-Joy and the rest of the cast for their work on the project, highlighting the collaborative and positive atmosphere on set.
Unlike the tense dynamic between Theron and Tom Hardy during the filming of “Fury Road,” Miller revealed that there were no such issues on the set of “Furiosa.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by the previous on-set conflict and expressed relief that the cast and crew of the new film were able to focus entirely on their work. With Taylor-Joy in the lead role and a harmonious working environment, Miller was able to bring his vision for the prequel to life without the distractions that plagued the production of “Fury Road.”
Reflecting on his experience working in both the analog celluloid and digital eras of filmmaking, Miller acknowledged the significant advancements in effects tools that have transformed the industry. He credited his early work in films like “Babe” and “Happy Feet” with helping him adapt to the digital landscape. Despite the challenges that arose during the development of “Furiosa,” Miller expressed pride in the final product and the collaborative efforts of the cast and crew involved in bringing the film to fruition.
As “Furiosa” premieres at the Cannes Film Festival, Miller’s decision to cast Anya Taylor-Joy as the titular character appears to have been a successful one. The upcoming prequel promises to delve deeper into the origins of the fierce Imperator Furiosa and explore new facets of the post-apocalyptic world first introduced in the “Mad Max” series. With Taylor-Joy’s talent and commitment to the role, along with Miller’s visionary direction, “Furiosa” is poised to captivate audiences and continue the legacy of the acclaimed franchise.
