The Mad Max series has at least one thing in common with the Avengers one, beyond violence. Its potential success is based on several movies, spread over a number of years. As part of a sequel-driven Hollywood studio strategy, a follow-on movie is often less risky financially than a new one.
The Avenger series traces back at least to “The Incredible Hulk” made in 2008, according to Box Office Mojo. It includes some 11 films. The Mad Max franchise has had a much less impressive history. The first “Mad Max” opened in 1980. The last installment, “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome” was released 20 years ago. All of the early three movies in the franchise share with the “Fury Road” film is director George Miller, who has moved from directing violent films to children’s ones, the most notable of which are “Happy Feet” and “Pig: Babe in the City.” Miller has proven he can direct a blockbuster of sorts. “Happy Feet” posted a box office total of $198 million. His next success movie might be “Mad Max vs. Happy Feet,” a sort of “Batman v Superman,” at least with one set of personable characters.
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“Mad Max: Fury Road” is a test of sorts. Can a sequel work across 20 years, or does a franchise that spreads over those decades have to find an entirely new audience? Miller may be the common thread among the films in the franchise, but people rarely attend movies because of their directors.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” does have a lead star different from the first three. Mel Gibson held that spot in those, and was replaced by Tom Hardy. The only person close to a big star in the movie is model Charlize Theron. And she is not a very big star at all.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” shares only one thing with “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which is a streak of violence that runs across nearly the entire picture. That may be the only reason one franchise can trump the other, at least for a weekend.
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