Tom Hardy is reportedly set to return to the Mad Max franchise in Mad Max: The Wasteland, despite a highly publicized feud with co-star Charlize Theron during the filming of the 2015 blockbuster. Hardy, who played the titular role of Max in Mad Max: Fury Road, is expected to reprise his role as the iconic anti-hero, but the production of the new film faces uncertainties.
Despite their tension on set, which allegedly included disagreements over the demanding nature of the shoot, Hardy is poised to return for the new instalment. Charlize Theron, who played Furiosa in the original film, will not reprise her role. Instead, Anya Taylor-Joy will portray Furiosa, a role she took on in the 2023 prequel, Mad Max: Furiosa.
The new film’s production, however, hinges on the success of Furiosa, which, despite receiving critical acclaim, underperformed at the box office. There’s also some hesitation from director George Miller, who has mentioned other projects he’s eager to pursue before revisiting the Mad Max universe. Speaking to Vulture, Miller explained that while Mad Max is a potential project, he’s not planning to make it his next film, as he has several other stories in mind.
Tom Hardy himself seems uncertain about the film’s future, recently telling Forbes that he “didn’t think” the movie was happening. As fans await further news, the question remains—will Mad Max: The Wasteland come to fruition, and if so, how will Hardy and the team navigate their complicated past?
