Mad Max IV

Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction/Sequel.

Studio: Universal Pictures.
Production Company: Kennedy/Miller.

Project Phase: Script Stage.

Who's In It: Unknown.
Who's Making It: George Miller (Director, Producer); George Miller, Brendan McCarthy (Screenwriters); Brendan McCarthy (Production Designer).

Premise: Unknown.

Release Date: Possibly 2001 or 2002.

Comments: See Scoop Feedback.

Rumors: Unknown.

Scoop Feedback:

March 25, 1996... Warner Brothers recently unveiled plans for a new Mad Max motion picture to supplement the television series spin-off, slated for Fall 1996 or Spring 1997 debut. Possibly spurred on by the studio's immense success with the Batman franchise, there are plans for two sets of toys (one for the film series, and one for the television series), the latter line to follow the new movie's release (probably in 1998). George Miller, the creator and director of the first three Mad Max shows, is working on the feature film - and it will go forward without Mel Gibson's participation.

According to Warner Brothers executives, the new Max will be "repositioned" for the '90s - less of the grungy, obsessive outsider and more of a clean-cut superhero kind of fellow. Uh-oh - will he still be mad? [Scoop info graciously provided by 'Shape' - who votes for Michael Biehn as the new Max.]

June 13, 1996... In a reported television interview with George Miller, the director said that there is currently no new Mad Max movie in preparation, but that the television series is a go. This would run against what the March 25 scoop reported, but again, neither scoops have been confirmed. The television series, which is confirmed, may feature cameo(s) by Mel Gibson. [Scoop sent in by 'Majestic'.]

February 18, 1997... A scooper from Sydney, Australia reports that while bumping into an old friend/mate of his. What's of note is that the scooper's friend mentioned he landed a job working for George Miller at his North Sydney-based offices. The friend is supposedly working on the storyboards for (and we like this way the scooper phrased it) - "...quote 'Mad Max 4' unquote..." [Scoop submitted by transit-rider Christopher Sequeira.]

July 27, 1997... Christopher Sequeira came back to tell us that the guys at Miller's offices will work on the fourth Max film...after the follow-up to Babe is out of the way. Ok...can we suggest Babe in black leather riding shotgun with Max? [Scooped by Christopher Sequeira.]

But the rumors are interesting if you believe the latest round of them. Supposedly Gibson will return to play Max for $40 million - and die within the first 30 minutes of the film trying to protect a village from a gang of thugs. Then it'll be up to his teenage son to avenge his death. [Sent in by 'Descartes', 'jknutson', Maxim 'Bodybag' Savic, 'widgett'.]

September 10, 1998... Well it's about time. Variety reports that George Miller will be returning to direct and produce the fourth installment in the Mad Max series. Variety's report made it unclear whether Miller will also share in the writing duties but he did come up with the storyline to be used. Miller will be definitely tackling this one next after wrapping Babe: Pig in the City. Mel Gibson has not been officially approached to return to the series that catapulted him into super-stardom. If Gibson does decide to return you can bet he'll be getting a lot more money than he did for the first picture (he only made $15,000).

It's unknown as to why Warner Brothers aren't the ones who'll distribute the film. WB distributed the previous three Mad Max films. [Thanks to our gas jockeys Oliver Naujoks, 'ErnieT' and nathair' for gassin' us up. Oriignally appeared in Variety.]

Now, here's our own world-exclusive report on the project:

We've been told that British comic-book artist Brendan McCarthy is co-writing the movie with George Miller, as well as designing it. McCarthy did production design and/or storyboards for Highlander 2 and the CGI cartoon series Reboot. This has been confirmed by a second source so it's the real deal, folks. [Our grateful thanks to 'Dig-L' for showing us their souped up Chevy.]

October 1, 1998... Some news from this aussie scooper: "It appears that all the big Hollywood names who have expessed interest in playing Max in Mad Max 4 have been turned down. The films producers are searching for a young Australian actor to fill the role. It has also been confirmed that Mel Gibson will not be returning to the role as he will be shoting another film at Warner studios in Australia at the same time. [Scoop provided by '1056778]



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