It appears the Mad Max franchise has reached its end—at least as far as longtime director George Miller is concerned. In a recent interview, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Mad Max: Fury Road made it clear that he has no plans to return to the post-apocalyptic world he helped define.
“I won’t make more Mad Max movies,” Miller stated bluntly while speaking to Page Six. “Fury Road, with Charlize Theron, Zoë Kravitz, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Riley Keough, was forever getting completed. If you finish one in a year, it’s considered a leap of faith. Start, stop, start again.”
His comments give context to what cast members like Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron have previously alluded to—the shoot for Fury Road was notoriously grueling. While the film was widely praised and earned six Academy Awards, its production was plagued by long delays and logistical challenges that clearly left a lasting impression on its director.
Miller went on to explain that it wasn’t just the scale of the project that made it difficult, but also the physical toll and unpredictability of shooting in remote environments.
“I’ve shot in Australia in a field of wildflowers and flat red earth when it rained heavily forever,” he said. “We had to wait 18 months, and every return to the US was 27 hours. Those Mad Maxes take forever. I won’t do those anymore.”
The decision will undoubtedly come as a blow to fans, especially those who had been hoping for more entries following the success of Fury Road. The film, which grossed over $375 million worldwide and became a critical darling, was expected to kick off a new wave of stories in the Mad Max universe. At one point, two sequels were said to be in early development, including Mad Max: The Wasteland.
While Miller’s comments suggest he’s stepping away from the franchise entirely, it remains to be seen whether Warner Bros. will pursue future installments without him. Given the studio’s continued interest in big-budget franchises and cinematic universes, Mad Max could still return under a new director’s vision.
Of course, Miller’s exit from the series could free him up for other high-profile projects. Fans have long speculated about his potential involvement in a superhero film—particularly within Warner Bros.’ DC lineup. With Man of Steel and other projects still lingering in development limbo, there may be room for Miller’s talent elsewhere in the studio’s portfolio.
Whether or not the Mad Max series continues, Miller’s legacy within it is undeniable. From the gritty 1979 original to the explosive spectacle of Fury Road, his vision helped shape an iconic piece of genre cinema.
For now, it sounds like his time behind the wheel of the War Rig has come to an end.