Anya Taylor-Joy did her own stunt driving for Furiosa, but she doesn’t have an actual driver’s license. The 26-year-old actor recently wrapped production for the film after kicking off production earlier this year. Taylor-Joy will star as the titular Imperator Furiosa in George Miller’s prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. The film is set to release in May 2024 and also stars Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke. Charlize Theron, who first played Furiosa in 2015’s Fury Road, isn’t expected to have a part in the prequel.
In an interview with IndieWire, Taylor-Joy says that, while she did do her own stunt driving for Miller’s upcoming Furiosa, she’s yet to have her own license. While the actor can’t execute normal driving skills, she’s able to do some unique moves. Read what Taylor-Joy says about the experience and her driving below:
“I don’t actually have a license, so I can’t drive. I can’t on a highway, I can’t parallel park, but if you need me to do a juicy 180 in a truck, I can do that and not hit the camera people, which is great. Eventually, I will be in a place long enough to get a driver’s license and then I’ll be really happy, because then I can play. But in terms of first cars, I think I’m quite spoiled in the fact that they were built by the ‘Mad Max’ art department . . . That’s the other thing, if a driving instructor gets in a car with me, all I know how to do is crazy stunt driving. I’m planning on getting my stunt driver’s certificate…so then I’ll be able to do all of my driving in all films, which would be great. But I fear for the poor man or woman that is taking the test with me, because gentle, I am not.”
Taylor-Joy’s Commitment To Furiosa Makes Movie More Exciting
In the interview, Taylor-Joy expresses she’s most comfortable in roles that require her to be dirty and bloody, and because of that, Furiosa was right up her alley. Hearing that, as well as knowing the fact that Taylor-Joy was willing to do her own stunt driving, bodes well for the movie as a whole. The commitment to the role is applauded and warmly welcomed. Miller’s last entry to the dystopian universe, Mad Max: Fury Road, saw Furiosa in combat in extreme weather. According to Taylor-Joy, these requirements are nothing but inspiring.
Mad Max: Fury Road was the action movie of 2015, featuring stunts onscreen that were both gorgeous and unnerving. Knowing Taylor-Joy did her own stunt driving ensures that fans should expect to see her face when these wild stunts happen, propelling immersion and establishing that the lady onscreen is not to be messed with. Knowledge of this also hypes up the possibility she did some stunts outside of driving, suggesting Furiosa will be a well-rounded action movie and an excellent addition to Taylor-Joy’s filmography. The stunts in Mad Max: Fury Road were the strongest parts of the film, and that the prequel seems to be aiming for the same thing suggests audiences have a lot to look forward to.
An action movie is only as strong as its lead, and Taylor-Joy’s commitment to Furiosa indicates this is one that could live up to its hype. Taylor-Joy’s handling of cars without traditional driving practice might raise some eyebrows, but Miller is a pro at handling intense stunt work safely. If anything, this could make Furiosa’s driving even more impressive for the finished product. All told, Taylor-Joy’s commitment to a role that requires blood and sweat is refreshing, and it raises expectations for Furiosa exponentially.
IndieWire
