Furiosa Introduces The Franchise’s Very First Hero (Before Mad Max & Anya Taylor-Joy’s Furiosa)

Anya Taylor-Joy steps into the lead role as Furiosa in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, but the movie is introducing someone else as the franchise’s original hero. George Miller launched the Mad Max franchise in 1979 with Mel Gibson occupying the lead role. Gibson remained in the role for the original trilogy, before Mad Max: Fury Road recast him with Tom Hardy. The movie was also responsible for introducing audiences to Charlize Theron’s Furiosa, who became so popular that Miller began planning for a prequel. Anya Taylor-Joy now stars as Furiosa and is positioned as the franchise’s new lead.

Furiosa will give audiences a chance to learn much more about the fierce heroine. This includes additional insight into her backstory before she started working for Immortan Joe as seen in Mad Max: Fury Road. Part of the movie’s story will also focus on Furiosa’s childhood as she is raised in The Green Place by the Vuvalini of Many Mothers. This was teased in Mad Max: Fury Road, but Furiosa can fully flesh out these small details to give viewers a more complete understanding of the character. In doing so, the franchise’s original hero is seemingly being introduced.

Furiosa’s Mom Looks Like The Original Hero Of The Mad Max Franchise

There is a strong emphasis put on the heroic past of Furiosa’s mom in Furiosa‘s second trailer. Played by Charlee Fraser, Furiosa’s mother, named Mary Jo Bassa, is given a major focus at different points. This includes Furiosa calling her mother “magnificent” as footage shows Mary Jo Bassa fighting back against the various villainous forces that occupy the post-apocalyptic landscape. It appears that she is one of the strongest fighters among the Vuvalini of Many Mothers and is directly responsible for training Furiosa to be the exceptional fighter she becomes.

Furiosa’s mom leading the fight against Immortan Joe, Dementus, and any other Mad Max villains at this point makes her the franchise’s original hero. Furiosa is only a child when these events are taking place, while Max Rockatansky is also not yet in a place where he becomes the Road Warrior. This positions Furiosa’s mom as one of the few people potentially fighting back against the evil forces rising up in the Wastelands. It also means her death three days after being captured by Dementus leaves the world in an even worse spot as a result.

Furiosa’s Mom’s Story Could Set Up Another Mad Max Prequel Movie

The role that Furiosa’s mom plays in Furiosa could be a way to set up another Mad Max prequel movie. Continuing the franchise with another prequel starring Anya Taylor-Joy could be difficult to pull off, and sequels set after Mad Max: Fury Road also hold complications. A new movie set before Furiosa could further explore Furiosa’s mom, her time in the Vuvalini of Many Mothers, raising her child, and more. This would be dependent on how much of her backstory Furiosa dives into.

Making a prequel about Mary Jo Bassa already is easier to do thanks to Furiosa already casting someone to play her. The movie easily could have elected to just make references to Furiosa’s past with her mom. Casting Charlee Fraser (Anyone But You) gives the franchise an actress who is already in the perfect spot to play her again in a prequel. If Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga makes Furiosa’s mom a scene-stealing presence like the trailers suggest, the interest in this prequel could grow.