Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy hit 'Fury Road'

Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy are in negotiations to star in “Fury Road,” this century’s installment of the “Mad Max” movie series from writer-director George Miller.

Miller is producing with Doug Mitchell.

Despite his long association with the fourth movie, Mel Gibson is not reprising his iconic role of Max Rockatansky, the hardened ex-cop in a future beset by gas shortages and marauding gangs.

That job goes to Hardy, the British-born actor who stole scenes as Handsome Bob in Guy Ritchie’s “RocknRolla.” (”RocknRolla” has proved to be a launch pad for Hardy, who booked a gig in Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” as well. He also starred in “Bronson.”)

Theron is playing the female lead.

While story details are being kept under wraps, the movie does take place a short while after the story detailed in 1985’s “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” which keeps Mad Max relatively young.

A shoot next summer in Australia is being eyed. The movie will be an Australian production which Warner Bros. will distribute. 

“Road” has been in the works for more than a decade, with Gibson attached to star at one point. When the project finally began ramping up earlier this spring and summer, Miller began looking at and testing numerous actors who could step into the grim shoes previously worn by Gibson.

Courtenay Valenti is overseeing for the studio.

Theron, repped by WME and One Talent Management, appears next in this fall’s “The Road.”

Hardy is repped by CAA.

Comments

[dennj]

mel gibson = religious nutter = no thanks

[Flash-T]

Hardy is brilliant, nothing less.

Fan boys ask yourself this. What is a 60 plus Gibson going to do in a road warrior movie? Seriously??? When was the last time we saw him on screen anyway (Highway patrol video not withstanding)???

Don't be angry at Hardy be angry at father time for making Mel Gibson old and Death for robbing us of Heath Ledger just when he was becoming interesting.

[ss]

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[Xamurai]

Um check out his role in Bronson. A wuss he is not!!

[alison groves]

Tom is a very a good actor, you know what they say never judge a book by its cover. youve shot him down in flames already give him a chance. he was brilliant in Bronson and RocknRolla.
i think he is a very tallented actor.

[Chris]

Seems that producers in Hollywood are strait up lazy these days. Soooo many remakes in the last 5 years it's insulting. Let's see...Halloween, Poseidon, Nightmare on Elm Street (in the making), Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Pink Panther, I Am Legend, etc. Not to mention the number of graphic novel adaptations (where they don't even need to storyboard the thing because it's basically already been made), not to mention crap sequels like Indy 4, Terminator 4, Alien v. Predator, etc.

AND they're already remaking Let the Right One In and Oldboy, two of the best movies this decade, because they're not in English. It's degrading and cheap, and I'm sick of it.

[Brandon]

Lots of morons on this board....do you even know what Bronson is about? Take your macho insecurity elsewhere- I don't know much about this guy, but I've heard good things and I'd certainly rather see a young man in this role than a nearly 60 year old Gibson limping through production. Unlike Indiana Jones, I don't see any special association with the previous actor- any "dark" actor can play Mad Max...only Harrison Ford could be Indiana Jones. Mad Max is more like Batman- over the years the faces can change. All of that being said- I don't see why this needs to be made, can't we come up with any original ideas? No more Die Hards, Lethal Weapons or remakes PLEASE!

[Hashim R. Hathaway]

No Gibson, NO DEAL.

Miller should know better than anyone: Bust a deal...Face the WHEEL.

[mel]

forget bronson - watch the guy as freddie jackson - he'd knock the cunt outta anyone

[TexasSinkholeFan226]

Boo. Why not just make a new movie in the Mad Max universe, but with different characters.

[SHARKY]

WTF dudes, put Christian Bale instead, damn...and why another remake? Reamke of this and that, where´s the imagination? Im tired of remakes...

[scarlet]

Tom Hardy will prove you all wrong.

[chris]

oh give a guy a chance. mad max 3 was horrible. this one must be better than that. and he is a good British actor. he can pull it of. just wait and see.

[brent]

IF YOU SEE BRONSON YOU WILL KNOW WHAT A STELLAR ACTOR TOM HARDY IS.

there is no doubt in my mind he will be great in this role.

[S]

Why bring back crappy old tv series/films, it annoys me, make something original for gods sake!!!I can see it now,here comes yet another poor remake.May sound harsh but I think Tom Hardy is getting to big for his boots too. Although hes a fantastic actor and favoured in the UK its his acting that does him justice-not the bulky beefcake appearance thus making him go into beefy roles. I think he wont look right in American films and feel hes more suited to good old London gangsta/ biopic films with that crazy ass acting esp in Bronson!Maybe il be proved wrong but with Mad Max, I have a feeling were going to be disappointed...

[Superhotwater]

Why the negative comments about Tom Hardy. Get educated see him in films like Rocknrolla, Stuart a life backwards, The Take and then think about your comments again. Tom was made for this role. Do not forget, it was Mad Max before Mel Gibson became well know, give Tom a chance and then you can all eat humble pie!!!

[Gavilan]

Sure Mel isn't a spring chicken but where are you going with this character? I have lived and walked the roads where you filmed the 1st film in Lara and Fairhaven so even if you do make this sequel he wont be one of the bronze. Just keep to story and have an Australian in the lead atleast for the accent. Maybe Sam Worthington? But dont right off the goose till you see the box going in the hole..

[Conrad]

If Mel won't do it, get his bro. The guy sounds just like him and even looks like him a little.

[Tanya]

Tom Hardy will smash this role- he is fantastic at making a role his own and believable too. And girly-boy poser he most DEFINATELY isn't!!! I loved the Mad Max films but Mel is too out of shape and obviously isn't up for it. Give it a chance before you slate it!