Theron, Hardy take to 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (VAR, HV)

By Nancy Tartaglione

The rumors are true. Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy will star in George Miller's long-awaited continuation of the "Mad Max" franchise, "Mad Max: Fury Road." Miller is set to start filming next August in Australia.

Hardy has previously been seen in films like Guy Ritchie's "RocknRolla" and Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down." He also has a role in Christopher Nolan's upcoming "Inception."

Hardy's name had been bandied about recently for the newest "Mad Max" although Australian paper The Daily Telegraph was putting Sam Worthington in the role earlier this week.

Theron next appears in "The Road."

The logline on the script is being kept under wraps but the Heat Vision blog says the movie takes place a short while after the story detailed in the last "Max" movie, "Thunderdome."

Doug Mitchell is producing with Miller. Warner Bros. is set to distribute.

Miller had announced last weekend that pre-production work was starting in New South Wales but he didn't give any indication as to whether Mel Gibson might return or who would play the male lead. "It could be Mel, it could be anyone," he told reporters.

Miller and the 21-year-old Gibson launched their careers with "Mad Max" in 1979. Sequels came in 1981 with "The Road Warrior" and in 1985 with "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome."

Related Links

Charlize Theron to star in 'Mad' film (VAR)
Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy hit 'Fury Road' (HV)
Mad Max: Fury Road to begin production immediately (DT)