MAD MAX

MAD Max is revving up for a long-awaited return to the big screen, almost 25 years after Tina Turner ran Mel Gibson out of Bartertown.

Director George Miller is gearing up to shoot the fourth film in the ground-breaking Aussie road warrior franchise, industry sources say.

Scouting for locations is under way for the movie, which many thought would never get off the ground.

It could go into production later this year.

But it's highly unlikely Gibson will be asked to take his leathers out of mothballs to revisit the role that made him an international star.

Two years ago, Miller said he considered the Hollywood heavyweight too old to play the avenging road warrior.

"It won't be Mel. He was 21 when he made the first one, now he's a lot older and his passion is for film-making and directing," Miller said.

"I don't think he is into acting and I don't think he would be interested in being involved at all."

Miller suggested he was considering a new, young star.

Mad Max hit the big screen in 1979, launching Gibson to international stardom.

The budget movie depicts cop Max Rockatansky on the road to vengeance and oblivion after his police mate and family are killed by a vicious bikie gang.

Most of the car chase scenes were filmed near Geelong.

It was followed by Mad Max 2, (1981) and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome (1985).

News of Mad Max 4 marks a rise in the fortunes of the Australian film industry.

Katie Holmes is due in Melbourne mid-year to shoot celluloid thriller Don't be Afraid of the Dark.

Warner Bros. plans to shoot a $150 million adaptation of DC Comics' The Green Lantern in Australia.

And there is a strong chance Orlando Bloom will film at least part of the $24 million sci-fi escape story The Cross here.

Last week, Bruce Beresford announced he would shoot The Women in Black, with Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci and Miranda Otto, in Sydney in October.

tell the Doctor he's wasting his time and money

it aint gunna work...this time around

Yep, nothing could come close to the original, & as for Tina Turner.... welll it just went downhill

Yeah nothing beats the original

They started making Mad Max 4, 2 or 3 years ago in Namibia....... A neighbour works for Fox on the special FX and they canned the movie half way into production......... He wasn't pissed off, he had a holiday in South Africa and came home with one of the brand new KTM 525 (minus the plastics) that were being used in the film...........

Bugger now i gota go and watch it again.

Can't happen soon enough

I better ring George and tell him that some *real* bikes are here and ready to go !!!

Can't happen soon enough

I better ring George and tell him that some *real* bikes are here and ready to go !!!

There could be a role for you Goz, You could be the grown up feral kid or maybe Mad Max's hard core son (with a bit of make up you could pull it off)

I really should send the agents some photos eh ???

send em in gos, youre a cert

There could be a role for you Goz, You could be the grown up feral kid or maybe Mad Max's hard core son (with a bit of make up you could pull it off)

wow, Gos, you'd be perfect as the grown up feral kid!!! (I hope that didn't come across as offensive!) They'll need extras anyway, and you and your bunch of dirtbag hoon friends would be perfect!!! No need for makeup even... J.