In a world ravaged by war and greed, Mad Max stands as an iconic anti-hero, fighting for survival in a bleak future. The franchise, which began in 1980 with Mel Gibson and was given a new lease of life in 2015 with Tom Hardy, has won fans around the globe with its frenetic action, impressive visuals and biting social criticism.
1. The Real Inspiration:
Director George Miller was inspired by the oil crisis of the 1970s and the increasing violence on the streets of Australia to create the Mad Max universe.
2. An Unusual Beginning:
The first film in the saga, Mad Max (1980), was originally conceived as a crime thriller, but Miller turned it into a post-apocalyptic epic after a visit to an Australian desert.
3. A Hero Dog:
The German shepherd who accompanies Max in Mad Max 2: The Hunt Continues (1981) was not a trained actor. In fact, he was rescued from the streets by Miller days before filming.
4. A Lethal Guitar:
In Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), the flaming guitar of Coma-Doof, the blind guitarist, was a real, working instrument. Actor Angus Young, from AC/DC, gave some tips to the musician who played it in the movie.
5. A striking name:
The name “Furiosa” was chosen for Charlize Theron's character in Fury Road because of its Latin meaning: “furious” or “full of rage”.
6. An Unmistakable Motorcycle:
Max's iconic motorcycle in Fury Road, the “Interceptor”, is actually a combination of two different Kawasaki motorcycles, modified for the movie.
7. A Cruel World:
The “Wasteland” portrayed in the Mad Max franchise was inspired by real places in Australia, such as the Salina desert and Lake Eyre.
8. An Unforgettable Musical Journey:
The Mad Max franchise soundtrack is made up of memorable songs, such as Tina Turner's “We Don't Need Another Hero” in Mad Max 3: Beyond Thunderdome (1985) and Junkie XL's epic orchestral score in Fury Road.
9. A Reflective Dystopian Future:
Despite the action and violence, the Mad Max films also explore serious themes such as greed for resources, tyranny and the search for redemption.
10. An Expanding Universe:
The future of the Mad Max franchise is still uncertain, but with the success of Fury Road and the new film Furiosa: Mad Max Saga (2024) in production, we can expect more thrilling stories in this brutal and fascinating universe.