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Anya Taylor-Joy, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Chris Hemsworth set for Mad Max prequel 'Furiosa'

Anya Taylor-Joy is in the frame for a 'Mad Max' spin-off focused on Furiosa. (Credit: Warner Bros/Jacopo Raule/Getty Images)
Anya Taylor-Joy is in the frame for a 'Mad Max' spin-off focused on Furiosa. (Credit: Warner Bros/Jacopo Raule/Getty Images)

Anya Taylor-Joy will play the young Imperator Furiosa in the forthcoming Mad Max: Fury Road prequel, it's been confirmed.

The Witch star had been rumoured for the role, played by Charlize Theron in George Miller's epic comeback movie from 2015, but now it's all nice and official.

She'll be joined on the bill by Aquaman and Watchmen star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and by the mighty Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, though details of their roles have not been revealed.

Watch: Mad Max prequel sets cast

Speaking about the casting, Hemsworth took to Instagram to relay his excitement.

Read more: Mad Max: Fury Road feud explained

“Pretty damn fired up to be a part of a franchise that meant the world to me as a kid growing up in Australia,” he said.

“Mad Max was the pinnacle and a huge reason why I got into the business of telling stories. The fact that I'll have the honor of not only being directed by its original visionary in George Miller but also take part in Furiosa's origin story is incredibly exciting.

Theron as Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road (Credit: Warner Bros)
Theron as Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road (Credit: Warner Bros)

“Huge respect to George, Mel, Charlize, Tom and all the cast and crew who helped build this epic world. I'll do my best to continue the tradition of cinematic badassery.”

In Fury Road, Furiosa is introduced as one of the 'war captains' for the tyrannical Immortan Joe, who oversees the supply of oil to his post-apocalyptic citadel.

Actor Chris Hemsworth at the Sydney Opera House for the launch of the latest Tourism Australia campaign on October 30, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. "Philausophy" is the newest name for the campaign to drive international visits to Australia.
Chris Hemsworth (Credit: Getty)

However, she turns on Joe, and sets about freeing his concubines, the 'five wives', meeting and reluctantly teaming up with Tom Hardy's 'Mad' Max Rockatansky along the way.

Read more: Tom Hardy’s best movie performances

The war rig-driving warrior has a mechanical arm, but other than that, little – well, nothing – is given away about her back story.

Watch: Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn discuss Emma

According to previous interviews, Miller mulled the possibility of casting Theron in the role again and using de-ageing technology, but has gone with re-casting instead.

As with Fury Road, Miller will both direct and write the movie, with co-writers Brendan McCarthy and Nico Lathouris.

Theron and Miller on the set of Fury Road (Credit: Warner Bros)
Theron and Miller on the set of Fury Road (Credit: Warner Bros)

Miller and McCarthy had the ideas lined up for the Furiosa movie while writing Fury Road, back in 2011, and also have a sequel – Mad Max: The Wasteland – in mind too.

Miller told Indiewire in 2019: “There are two stories, both involving Mad Max, and also a Furiosa story. We're still solving, we've got to play out the Warners thing, it seems to be pretty clear that it's going to happen.”

Fury Road was a long-awaited hit for Miller, hauling in 10 Oscar nominations, winning six in all.