When does 'Furiosa' take place on the 'Mad Max' timeline?

"Furiosa," the latest Mad Max prequel, explores the origins of Imperator Furiosa.

Navigating the Mad Max timeline can be complex, but understanding where "Furiosa," the latest installment from director George Miller, fits is essential. "Furiosa" serves as a prequel and origin story for Imperator Furiosa, highlighting the events leading to her escape from the Citadel, as seen in "Mad Max: Fury Road."

The Mad Max franchise spans several decades in an alternate-reality Earth, roughly following a chronological order, with "Furiosa" being an exception. The series begins in a mid-1980s Australia, depicting Max Rockatansky’s quest for revenge after his family is murdered. The original trilogy continues from the late 1980s to around 2005. "Furiosa" disrupts this order, providing a backstory set before "Fury Road."

"Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" marks a return to Australia for the franchise. Producer Doug Mitchell emphasized the emotional significance, stating, "Max Max started in Australia and it's back in Australia – as it's meant to be." Unlike "Fury Road," filmed in Namibia, "Furiosa" was shot in locations across New South Wales, including Broken Hill and Silverton, which are historically significant to the franchise.

The production spanned eight months, capturing a story set over 15 years. Mitchell described Broken Hill as "Mad Max’s own Valhalla," highlighting its spiritual quality. Filming in Hay, NSW, involved a significant takeover, with Mitchell referring to it as "Haywood" due to the scale of the production.

In conclusion, "Furiosa" enriches the Mad Max universe by providing a prequel that fits into the broader narrative, while showcasing the challenges and achievements of its Australian production.