This week, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will reveal the origin story of the title character, with Anya Taylor-Joy taking over the role that was played by Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road. In this movie, Furiosa’s ultimate foe is Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), a warlord who tore her away from the family that loved her. Ahead of the film’s theatrical run, Taylor-Joy has revealed that she came up with Furiosa’s ultimate revenge on Dementus, which didn’t make it into director George Miller’s final cut.
Taylor-Joy told GQ that the scene in question featured Furiosa cutting out Dementus’ tongue. Miller was convinced to film the scene at Taylor-Joy’s behest, but he ultimately decided against using it. However, Taylor-Joy kept the prop of Dementus’ tongue for herself and now displays it at her home.
“It was really important to me that the confrontation between Furiosa and Dementus be a physical one, and that it was hard-won,” related Taylor-Joy. “It needed it; she needed it. I think there is something in seeing this person turn to something more carnal within herself.”
Taylor-Joy also shared her belief that playing Furiosa allowed her to tap into her own anger.
“For all my championing of female rage, I’ve never been an angry person,” explained Taylor-Joy. “For a long time the only time I ever got angry was on other people’s behalf. I’ve always internalized this thing of ‘I’ve done something wrong. If you treat me badly, it’s because I am the problem.’ And I’m so grateful for Furiosa, because there was a real moment where I started getting angry for myself. My husband was like ‘I’ve never heard you be like this.’ I was like, ‘I’m glad! I’m glad that I’m angry!’ If someone steps on me now I’m like, ‘Hey, f*** you!’ That makes me feel good.”
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will open in theaters this Friday, May 24.
