The role in Mad Max brought Mel Gibson fame and recognition in the 80s. Thus, he was also supposed to play the lead role in the fourth installment. But his scandals thwarted his plans, and the fee of 25 million dollars slipped through his fingers.
Mad Max is a dystopian action film that premiered in German cinemas in 1980. The director of all the films in the series was George Miller. In the book “Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road,” the Australian director describes the backstory of the films.
He also addresses his initial concerns about casting Mel Gibson in the lead role for the fourth part “Mad Max: Fury Road” (via Sensacine). Ultimately, the decisions Mel Gibson made became his downfall and meant the end for him as “Mad Max”.
The plot centers around the conflict between a biker gang and the police officer Max Rockatansky, played by Mel Gibson. Here you can see a trailer:
Mel Gibson was “completely out of control”
What decisions did Mel Gibson make? In 2006, Mel Gibson was arrested for drunk driving. He reportedly made anti-Semitic remarks there. The filming was paused until Gibson managed to get his image under control (via Sensacine).
Four years later, Mel Gibson was reportedly ready for a comeback. But further scandals followed. His then-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, accused him of domestic violence. George Miller obtained footage showing Gibson being threatening and physically aggressive. Gibson appeared in the footage “completely out of control.”
What concerns did the director have? Miller initially had concerns that Mel Gibson might be too old for the role. At the beginning of the production of Fury Road, Gibson was in his late 40s, and by the time filming started, he was already in his late 50s. Additionally, the work was interrupted multiple times, resulting in a significant delay.
Ultimately, George Miller was convinced and planned Fury Road with Mel Gibson. Gibson was supposed to receive 25 million dollars as a fee for the lead role in the film. But then controversies around the actor piled up. The role slipped through his fingers, as did the 25 million dollars.
The collaboration was terminated. Additionally, Mel Gibson was now even older than he was at the time when director George Miller had his concerns regarding this.
Harrison Ford, on the other hand, still wants to be active in the film business at 81 years old:
“Indiana Jones” can’t stand the thought of retirement, explains why he still works at 81
