NEW YORK (AP) – The inhospitable desert landscape of “Mad Max: Fury Road” isn’t so different from today’s Hollywood: Low on water and overrun by men.
But amid the overflowing testosterone of “Fury Road,” George Miller’s sequel to his post-apocalyptic franchise, Charlize Theron dramatically stands out. While “Mad Max” may star Tom Hardy as the titular road warrior of “Fury Road,” it is effectively Theron’s film.
She plays Furiosa, a warrior with a shaved head and prosthetic arm, attempting to rescue a harem of wives held captive by a warlord.
“When people first started talking about this film, this loud whisper went around town that George was looking to create a female character that can stand next to Max and carry the journey with him,” Theron said in a recent interview. “For a female actress, that always sounds intriguing. Look, we hear it all the time and very few filmmakers see that through.”
“Fury Road,” which was to receive a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday before opening in theaters Friday, is an atypical summer action movie – essentially a two-hour car chase – that’s literally and effectively driven by a strong woman.