Of all the roles Charlize Theron has donned to date, perhaps none comes as close to playing Furiosa in the Mad Max saga. That being said, fans also awaited for her to reprise her iconic role and return to the screens in character for the upcoming prequel and spin-off based on her character’s name. However, things went a bit downhill for her for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
While there was a chance for her to star as the noted character in this prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road as well, she instead had to give her up to Hollywood’s currently raging heartthrob Anya Taylor-Joy. And while the younger actress says Theron holds no hard feelings toward her because of the same, the one to blame for this decision is none other than the helmer of the saga, George Miller.
Charlize Theron Isn’t in Furiosa and it’s All George Miller’s Fault
As fans already know, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, and thus, was originally created as a part of the process to work toward the 2015 masterpiece. This is why Theron also used it to prepare for her character for Fury Road.
Needless to say, during this very time when she prepared for her character, the Atomic Blonde actress also ended up falling in love with the storyline for this upcoming movie. In fact, it was such a hit with her that she even asked George Miller to create it before its sequel!
During a recent interview with Empire to talk about this upcoming movie, the Australian filmmaker shared the same. Talking about Theron and her reaction to this prequel, he said:
“She said, ‘Please, George, can we make this first?’”
However, Miller had something else in mind, and it was Charlize Theron‘s reaction itself that made him realize the massive potential that the story of A Mad Max Saga held. As he admitted:
“It was the first time I realised that there’s something really strong in this story.”
Thus, because of these reasons, the Snow White and the Huntsman star couldn’t join the cast to reprise her iconic role in this soon-to-be-released movie. But while this was “heartbreaking” for Theron, she also seems to have let Anya Taylor-Joy take over without any hard feelings.
Charlize Theron is Heartbroken but Anya Taylor-Joy has Her Blessings
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter back in 2020, the Monster actress openly expressed just how “heartbreaking” it was for her to be unable to reprise her character from the Mad Max lore, all the while expressing how much she loves the Imperator and is grateful to have played her.
At the same time, she also let out how much she trusted Miller with the story. She said:
“I fully respect George, if not more so in the aftermath of making Fury Road with him. He’s a master, and I wish him nothing but the best. […] If he feels like he has to go about it this way, then I trust him in that manner.”
Adding to this was Taylor-Joy, who has replaced her to play the Imperator. Sharing with Empire Theron’s reaction to her scoring the role, the Dune: Part Two star said:
“She’s been so classy and kind in letting me go and do it.”
Well, trusting Miller’s decision has mostly turned out to be a plus point for fans and Taylor-Joy is already winning hearts with her impeccable performances, so on the positive side, things could turn out to be pretty good for this upcoming prequel.
At the same time, Theron will forever be missed as the iconic character of the Imperator!
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga hits the theatres on the 24th of May, 2024.
