Charlize Theron is heartbroken to not return for Mad Max spinoff Furiosa

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Back in 2015, MAD MAX FURY ROAD became a massive hit both critically and commercially and reinvigorated Charlize Theron as an action star years after the weak reception for AEON FLUX. Since then, Theron has starred in multiple FAST AND FURIOUS sequels as well as the excellent ATOMIC BLONDE and soon the Netflix franchise-starter THE OLD GUARD. But, despite many behind-the-scenes stories saying she had a challenging time on the set of MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, Theron says she is disappointed that she won't be coming back for director George Miller's announced prequel FURIOSA.

As the story goes, director George Miller once worried studio executives with a ballooning budget and tales of on-set disagreements between Theron and co-star Tom Hardy. Then, millions of dollars and several Oscar nominations later, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD had become one of the most revered action epics in recent film history

Theron's comments have been neutral with regard to her experiences on set, but the rumored casting of Anya Taylor Joy as a young Furiosa appears less a jab at Theron's exceptional work but more of a logical way to go back and tell the origin of the character.

Recently while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Theron remarked on what it's been like for her to be given a second chance at establishing herself as a bonafide action icon:

“A lot of women don’t get a second chance, but when men make these movies and fail miserably, they get chance after chance after chance to go and explore that again. That doesn’t necessarily happen for women,” Theron remarked to THR. “Fury Road came a good decade after Æon Flux, and there’s always been that voice in the back of my head that still somewhat responds to that. I’m still influenced by that, and it’s one thing that drives me. It’s unfortunate that we feel like the opportunity will be taken away from us in a heartbeat if we don’t succeed, but that is the truth. It’s not a very forgiving genre when it comes to women.”

As their talk continued, Theron was asked to give her take on Miller's plans to chronicle a young Furiosa, rather than continue the journey Theron had started in Fury Road:

“It’s a tough one to swallow. Listen, I fully respect George, if not more so in the aftermath of making that film with him. He’s a master, and I wish him nothing but the best, “ Theron admits. “Yeah, it’s a little heartbreaking, for sure. I really love that character, and I’m so grateful that I had a small part in creating her. She will forever be someone I think of and reflect on fondly. Obviously, I would love to see that story continue, and if he feels like he has to go about it this way, then I trust him in that manner. We get so hung up on the smaller details that we forget the thing that we emotionally tap into has nothing to do with that minute thing that we’re focusing on.”

Those who've read the New York Times' oral history of Fury Road will have learned that both Theron and Hardy had butted heads during the film's production. And if history has taught me anything, it's that instances of heated chemistry such as this often goes unreported for as long as it can be kept under lock and key. Here's the thing though, when it comes to Theron and Hardy, both have admitted to making mistakes, which is all kinds of refreshing in this day and age.

"Oh, it’s the truth! It’s the truth," Theron said when talking about her and Hardy both coming clean about their disagreements. "That’s the great thing about time, right? It gives you a moment to really reflect and have all of those things permeate. That’s evolution. That’s how we learn. That’s how we become better. So, that was not a hard thing for me to do. It’s just the truth."

Lastly, for all you ATOMIC BLONDE fans out there, you'll be thrilled to know that according to Theron, another film in the series is currently in the works. It's true! When asked if there would be another film featuring the fearless Lorraine Broughton, Theron said:

"Yes, we’re in the development stages right now, and that’s the one thing that lockdown has been good for — being able to develop with writers over Zoom. So, we’re actively developing [an Atomic Blonde sequel] right now."

For more on Theron's experience while making MAD MAX: FURY ROAD as well as her excitement for Netflix's THE OLD GUARD, be sure to check out THR's full report.

Also, if you're game to see Theron kick all kinds of ass in her new film, be sure to catch THE OLD GUARD when it premieres on Netflix this July 10.