Mad Max Four To Be Animated, 3D And Free Of Mel Gibson
The last full throttle attempt to mount a live-actionMad Max IVstalled in 2003. Pretty much every year since thenMel Gibsonhas done something – either professionally or, not to put too fine a point on it,unprofessionally– to convince me the film would never get made. Turns out I was wrong.George Millerhas plans to get the film underway again, and this time hewon’tbe inviting the star of the initial trilogy along for the thrill ride.
Speaking toMTV, Miller has revealed parallel films for an animatedMad Max IVand tie-in video game based on the same basic storyline. The film is to be animated in full-on stereoscopic 3D, and the game is being devised in collaboration withCory Barlog, game director ofGod of War 2.
Miller persists in calling the film anime. He’ll definitely be taking inspiration from Japanese toons, but not without mixing things up a bit.
The anime is an opportunity for me to shift a little bit about what anime is doing because anime is ripe for an adjustment or sea change. It’s coming in games and I believe it’s the same in anime. There’s going to be a hybrid anime where it shifts more towards Western sensibilities. Kurosawa was able to bridge that gap between the Japanese sensibilities and the West and make those definitive films.
He’s just evoked Kurosawa. Will those shoes prove too big for Mr.Happy Feetto fill?
Miller doesn’t want to even approach Gibson, saying that they’d “probably go a different route” with the casting. A round of applause on that one, I think. I likeSignsas much asmuch more than the next man, but if I never see Gibson in another film ever again, it’ll be too soon.*
Barlog has previously blogged about his collaboration with Miller. Last October hepostedabout their work on the game’s story and play mechanics:
George and I have put the final touches on theMad Maxstory and game design structure and mechanics. My last trip to Sydney in September marked the completion of that stuff. I gotta' say, and I know I am totally biased here, but I gotta say that this story – as well as this game – is pretty freaking bad ass!! I really can’t wait to get this game out there.
It has been such an incredible ride working so closely with George. I feel like my skills as a storyteller increase exponentially with every meeting we have. We have so many sensibilities that are similar, yet so many that push each other in directions we would never have thought to go. I am learning so much from him. I feel a lot like Daniel san inKarate Kid 2.
