A Mad world, but we love it to the Max
Despite a drizzly grey Sydney day, two of Hollywood’s biggest stars shone brightly as they showcased their latest offering at Circular Quay yesterday.
Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy had the Sydney Opera House as their backdrop as they joined acclaimed Academy Award-winning director George Miller to present Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga to the world.
“It is always the case with film crews – when you want rain, just invite us to shoot,” Miller told The Daily Telegraph.
Furiosa is the prequel to Miller’s 2015 hit Mad Max: Fury Road.
In this film, Furiosa is played by TaylorJoy while Hemsworth is Dementus.
The film received special dispensation from the Cannes Film Festival – where it will have its official world premiere on May 15 – to hold its Australian premiere at Sydney’s State Theatre tonight.
“A friend of mine was saying that the Americans have Star Wars, the Brits have Harry Potter and we as Australians have Mad Max, so this is a dream come true,” Hemsworth said. “To be a part of the Mad Max universe, something that has been around for 45 years, something that is so iconically Australian … is incredible.
“And to kick off the press tour here in Australia, in Sydney, where we shot the film, is even more special.”
Miller only delivered the final copy of the film at the end of last week, meaning the cast and crew will see it for the first time in its entirety at the Australian premiere tonight.
The movie was shot in various locations across NSW, including in the iconic red desert sands outside Broken Hill. It is believed it injected some $350m into the NSW economy with a crew of 3100 people and 4500 extras employed for the shoot.
Taylor-Joy spent several months here making the film and particularly loved shooting in the remote locations.
“It was myself and my cat, who is a proud Australian. It was just the two of us in the Outback together,” TaylorJoy said, wearing an incredible Rick Owens leather outfit. “I loved it.”
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga opens in Australian cinemas on May 23.