Watch George Miller And Mel Gibson Talk Thunderdome In This Vintage Video
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We still have a good long while to wait until we finally get to see Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller’s long-awaited return to the post-apocalyptic wastes he first visited in 1979. Those of us who have been waiting for this movie since 2010 (there have been numerous delays, including the original shooting location basically being wiped off of the face of the Earth by an act of god, reshoots, and more) are trying to fill the time any way we can. And one way we’ve wiled away the minutes is with this rare video that features a discussion with Miller and franchise star Mel Gibson.
Originating in 1985, while the duo were hyping up the third film in the family, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, this eight-minute interview includes the two taking turns discussing the process of the other. They cover a wide range of topics in what is essentially a relatively brief conversation. Gibson praises Miller’s originality and innovation as a filmmaker, while Miller breaks down some of how they went about convincing the Australian born actor to literally strap in for that memorable fight scene against Blaster in the Thunderdome. Even after the fact, Gibson doesn’t seem all that stoked that he had to be strapped into that bouncy get up.
All in all, this is an entertaining video, and though it doesn’t get into tons of depth on any particular topics it’ll give you a little insight behind the scenes of the last time we saw Max Rockatansky. The reality of Miller, who is a laid back, mellow seeming guy, belies the high-octane, brutal action of these movies. Then again, this is also the man behind the Happy Feet movies, yes, the animate dancing penguin films. He also looks startlingly like the Toecutter from the first movie.
In Fury Road Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises) takes over the role that helped launch Mel Gibson to superstar status. Almost 30 years in the making, those who’ve seen a cut describe the film as one long chase scene, which is exactly what we’re looking for out of this movie. Quiet loner Max teams up with Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron, who looks totally badass with a shaved head and missing one arm) to lead a bunch of people across the desert wastes. A gang of vicious, bloodthirsty goons chases them the whole way, and that is more than enough to kick our saliva-producing glands into high gear.
If you haven’t, check out the awesome trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road that dropped at San Diego Comic-Con back in July. It’ll make the May 15, 2015 release date seem even further away than it already is.
