Director George Miller
The highly anticipated sequel / reboot to the Mad Max series has hit a snag with production being delayed yet again until the year 2012. It was delayed once before with shooting scheduled to have commenced this year then it was pushed back with word that George Miller was planning another sequel which called for rewrites and other necessary production changes. This resulted in some cast members being unable to continue and their roles being recast. The film is set to star Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy though the production has already lost Aussie stunner Teresa Palmer.
Some second unit action scenes had already been shot, including a chase sequence involving some of the many vehicles already built at the former Hills Transport warehouse in Villawood, NSW. 130 cars and bikes have already been designed and millions spent on the post apocalyptic forms of transportation.
Photo snapped during a transportation rest stop
Stunt-men were already in Broken Hill rehearsing not to mention the catering services who were said to be serving “choice-cut steaks” for the weary performers.
Key production crew have been told not to expect pre-production to resume until August or November next year and if key filming resumes amidst these delays, production has been re-scheduled to begin in the Broken Hill region in February 2012.
Mel Gibson as Mad Max
Whilst the delay could be cataclysmic it may signal other changes which fans have been opposed to, such as the recasting of the Mad Max character with Tom Hardy. Whilst Mel Gibson has experienced many personal issues over the years he is still one of Australia’s biggest exports and George Miller intended to shoot a sequel many years ago with the former A-Lister attached. Whilst it’s good to have new blood in the film, the sequels make little sense with a new lead actor in the titular role unless you plan to go back to the origins of the story and restart the mythos.
Another year could be beneficial to production in a narrative context with the possibility that George Miller may rethink his approach with the likelihood that many of current talent will be forced to move on.
We’ll keep you informed of any updates as it progresses down under in Oz.
What do you think, after Mel’s much publicized antics – should he still return to the character he made famous?
Check out the classic intro from Mad Max: The Road Warrior
[jwplayer config=”movie_wide” mediaid=”2315″] Courtesy of Warner Bros
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