Summary:
- George Miller’s “Furiosa” prequel earns a six-minute standing ovation at Cannes.
- Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth embrace their roles and fans with enthusiasm.
- Miller acknowledges crew efforts and anticipates audience reactions to the past-focused storyline.
George Miller’s prequel to the acclaimed “Mad Max: Fury Road” received a thunderous six-minute standing ovation from the audience.
Anya Taylor-Joy, taking over the iconic role of Furiosa from Charlize Theron, basked in the adulation, blowing kisses and bowing theatrically. Chris Hemsworth, portraying the villainous Warlord Dementus, appeared emotional by the enthusiastic response.
In his brief address, Miller acknowledged the crew’s hard work and expressed anticipation of audience reactions. “Furiosa” delves into the past, depicting a young Furiosa captured by Dementus’s bandits.
Prior to the premiere, both Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth displayed a relaxed demeanor, signing autographs and posing for selfies with fans. Taylor-Joy added a playful touch by sticking out her tongue for photos, while Hemsworth’s white tuxedo jacket defied the Cannes dress code.
Warner Bros. co-chairs were present, but CEO David Zaslav was noticeably absent. His lavish Cannes party last year, amidst company cutbacks, drew criticism. This year’s celebration for “Furiosa” was a more modest affair, with limited food and a guest list restricted to cast, key festival personnel, and powerful agents.
Despite the scaled-back celebration, the buzz surrounding “Furiosa” is positive. Festival-goers were impressed by Miller’s latest creation, making it one of the most anticipated premieres at Cannes. Warner Bros. is hoping the film will outperform its predecessor, “Fury Road,” which grossed $380 million globally. “Furiosa” carries a hefty price tag of $168 million, so strong box office performance will be crucial for profitability. The Cannes reception bodes well for the film’s theatrical release on May 24th in the United States.
