When Mad Max: Fury Road hit theaters ten years ago, it reignited global interest in the Mad Max universe and reminded audiences why George Miller’s post-apocalyptic saga had endured for decades, and almost immediately, the discussion shifted to The Wasteland, which was a planned prequel said to explore the state of the desert one year before Max encountered Furiosa. The appeal of such a project was obvious, as Fury Road gave us glimpses of Immortan Joe’s brutal empire and the wasteland’s bizarre inhabitants.
Now, according to the Mad Max podcast, Mad Max Bible, the project is being redeveloped as a TV series. While some fans may feel disappointment at the change, the shift to television also offers potential advantages, such as more time for world-building, character development, and episodic storytelling that could do justice to Miller’s sprawling vision.
Why George Miller’s Long-Delayed Mad Max Project Is Now Becoming a Series
The idea of The Wasteland stretches back further than many realize. George Miller first toyed with the concept in the 1980s as a potential television project. When that didn’t materialize, the story morphed into a video game pitch, then a book, and later a script for a full-length film. In 2017, Miller appeared ready to push forward with the movie, even securing Tom Hardy’s return as Max. But just as momentum began to build, everything collapsed.
The main issue was Money, as Miller became embroiled in a legal battle with Warner Bros., suing the studio over a contractually guaranteed bonus he claimed they withheld following Fury Road. That issue stalled production indefinitely and left The Wasteland on the shelf.
The situation grew even more complicated after the release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in 2024. Despite strong reviews, the film severely underperformed at the box office, reportedly losing Warner Bros. around $120 million. It became the studio’s second-biggest money loser of the year. With Miller now 80 years old, the odds of him securing funding for another $170 million Mad Max feature seemed almost impossible.
But according to Mad Max Bible Miller’s long-gestating project is being reshaped, and Shaun Grant, who is best known for writing Nitram, has reportedly been brought on board to adapt the story for television. In many ways, this shift makes sense. Streaming platforms are pouring massive resources into prestige projects, and Warner Bros. has been doubling down on HBO Max originals in order to stay competitive. Reworking The Wasteland into a series not only lowers the financial risk compared to a theatrical release but also gives Miller more space to expand on the mythos of the wasteland.
From Hardy to Whoever’s Next, The Wasteland Refuses to Die
Would Tom Hardy return as Max for a TV version? That remains the biggest unknown. Tom Hardy also hasn’t been optimistic about returning. In a 2023 interview with Forbes, he admitted, “I don’t think that’s happening.” His words cast further doubt on whether a direct sequel could happen at all. Hardy has a history of complicated production experiences. Fury Road itself was notoriously grueling, and after Furiosa’s box office stumble, Warner Bros. may hesitate to pay Hardy’s star salary.
But Miller has proven flexible before. When Charlize Theron didn’t reprise Furiosa, he recast the character with Anya Taylor-Joy, who brought her own interpretation to the role. If Hardy declines, it wouldn’t be surprising to see another actor don Max’s iconic leather jacket.
What makes The Wasteland fascinating is its sheer resilience. Over the decades, it has taken the shape of a TV idea, a video game, a novel, a script, and now possibly back to TV again. Few projects in Hollywood can claim such a twisting journey. While the financial and logistical hurdles are daunting, the fact that Warner Bros. and Miller are even entertaining a streaming series suggests that The Wasteland is far from dead. If anything, it may finally be returning to the format it was originally imagined in.
For us who have waited years, the idea of exploring the Mad Max universe in serialized form could be more rewarding than a single film. Instead of a two-hour sprint through the desert, audiences might get several episodes of world-building, character arcs, and deeper explorations of the wasteland that has fascinated viewers since 1979.Whether Tom Hardy signs on or a new Max emerges, one thing is certain: George Miller is not ready to abandon his apocalyptic world just yet. The Wasteland may have been delayed, reshaped, and nearly lost, but in true Mad Max fashion, it keeps finding a way to survive.
