Charlize Theron Won’t Be in the Furiosa Movie — Here’s Why

The long-awaited Furiosa prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road is almost here, but it’ll be without the original Furiosa, Charlize Theron. The movie’s premise suggests why Theron wouldn’t return, but she’s still expressed some disappointment at not revisiting the role.

“It’s a tough one to swallow. Listen, I fully respect [writer/director] George [Miller], 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,” Theron told The Hollywood Reporter when news of Furiosa first broke.

“It’s a little heartbreaking, for sure. I really love that character, and I’m so grateful that I had a small part in creating her. She will forever be someone I think of and reflect on fondly. Obviously, I would love to see that story continue, and if he feels like he has to go about it this way, then I trust him in that manner. We get so hung up on the smaller details that we forget the thing that we emotionally tap into has nothing to do with that minute thing that we’re focusing on.”

Anya Taylor-Joy Replaces Charlize

The news that Furiosa was on its way — without Theron — first arrived in a 2020 article in The New York Times, which revealed that Miller was planning a Furiosa-centric prequel but focused on a much younger version of the character in her 20s. As a result, he sought out an actress in that same age range, rather than having Theron revisit the role.

The role of Furiosa, meanwhile, has been taken over by Anya Taylor-Joy. Taylor-Joy is known for her roles in the Jane Austen comedy Emma, Netflix’s Cold War-era drama The Queen’s Gambit and The Menu. We’re excited to see her take on a young version of Furiosa. But, we’ll miss Theron too in the role she made iconic.

Furiosa hits cinemas on May 23. You can pre-book your tickets here!

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