Oscar winner Charlize Theron expressed her desire to play the main role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga before George Miller even produced Mad Max: Fury Road. Theron portrayed Imperator Furiosa in 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, but Miller chose Anya Taylor-Joy to portray Furiosa in the prequel Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Miller believed this was necessary as the latter story occurs 15 years before the events of Fury Road, which called for a change in the actress playing Furiosa.
In a conversation with Empire, Miller stated, “[Theron] said, ‘Please, George, can we create [a Furiosa film] first?' It was the first time I realized that there’s something really powerful in this story.”
Miller further explained, “The tale [of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga] is the epic of Furiosa, and her ordeal after being taken from home, spending the rest of her life trying to return. [In] Fury Road the story unfolds over three days and two nights. This film continues the narrative that leads directly into Fury Road, spanning 15 years. It’s a different beast. It’s set in many different locations. It’s an odyssey. No doubt.”
The official Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Description states: “As the world descends into chaos, young Furiosa is seized from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the clutches of a powerful Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Roaming the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel ruled by the Immortan Joe. While the two rulers battle for supremacy, Furiosa must endure numerous trials as she gathers the resources to find her way home.”
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, also featuring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, and Nathan Jones, debuts in cinemas nationwide on May 24. Click here to watch the trailer.
Pierce Brosnan Claims ‘Oppenheimer’ Star Cillian Murphy Would Be a ‘Magnificent’ James Bond
Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan suggests that Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy would be an outstanding 007. Brosnan portrayed the British secret agent in four films, concluding with 2002's Die Another Day.
As reported by Variety, the BBC inquired of Brosnan at the Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles about who should play Bond next now that Daniel Craig's tenure as the character ended dramatically. “Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on His Majesty’s Secret Service,” stated Brosnan of his fellow Irishman, who was also present at the event honoring Irish creatives.
Murphy is the favorite to win the Best Actor Oscar at the Academy Awards this weekend.
‘Dragon Ball’ Creator Akira Toriyama Dies at 68
Manga enthusiasts are grieving the loss of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, who passed away on March 1 due to an acute subdural hematoma. Toriyama was 68.
According to Variety, the official Dragon Ball website released a statement honoring its creator along with a disclaimer that the English version was machine-translated. “It’s our deep regret that he still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm. Also, he would have many more things to achieve,” reads the statement from Bird Studio. “He has left many manga titles and works of art to this world. Thanks to the support of so many people around the world, he has been able to continue his creative activities for over 45 years. We hope that Akira Toriyama’s unique world of creation continues to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.”
As stated by Variety, “Originally released in 1984 as a series of episodes, Dragon Ball has turned into one of the most widely sold comic series ever. It’s also responsible for making comics popular around the world, especially due to its various animated adaptations that have a lasting audience in Western nations.”
Moreover, Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, Toriyama also designed characters for video games in Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Madonna Invites Kylie Minogue Onstage With Her During Celebration Tour Concert
Madonna excited attendees of the Celebration Tour in Los Angeles by unexpectedly bringing Kylie Minogue onstage to perform with her. Minogue joined Madonna in singing two songs: a rendition of Gloria Gaynor's “I Will Survive” and Minogue's “Can't Get You Out of My Head.”
“I would like to introduce a very special guest who is going to come up here and sing with me,” said Madonna. “Her name is Kylie Minogue [loud applause]. Now this is what we call survival, okay?”
According to Entertainment Weekly, “Minogue — who wore a shirt bedazzled with Madonna's name, in a clear nod to Madonna's 2000 MTV EMAs performance where she wore a similar shirt that bore Minogue's name — then turned to her peer and said, ‘Here we are!' before they launched into the songs.”
The choice to perform “I Will Survive” is significant as both pop icons survived different health crises. Minogue battled breast cancer in 2005, while Madonna faced a bacterial infection last year that nearly took her life.
Minogue posted her feelings on X about how what it meant for her to join Madonna onstage. Madonna's Celebration Tour concludes on April 26 in Mexico City.
‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’ Fight for Box Office Dominance During Oscars Weekend
An animated panda voiced by Jack Black and Timothée Chalamet as the savior of the desert planet of Arrakis will battle for the top spot at the weekend box office. Kung Fu Panda 4 is the third sequel in the animated martial arts-comedy franchise, while Dune: Part Two goes into its second weekend of release having already earned over $100 million domestically.
According to Variety, Kung Fu Panda 4 made $3.8 million in previews. That puts the kid flick on track to make between $40 and $50 million this weekend. Dune: Part Two is tracking to make between $40 and $45 million in its second weekend, so the battle for first place might come down to who is more likely to go to the cinema versus who might stay home Sunday and watch the Oscars instead. This gives a slight edge to Kung Fu Panda 4, the audience of which probably isn't too concerned about whether Emma Stone or Lily Gladstone wins Best Actress.
2016's Kung Fu Panda 3 had a $41 million opening weekend. We'll know on Monday if Kung Fu Panda 4 can top that and knock Dune: Part Two from the top.
