A former The Matrix co-star cast as Mad Max's young Immortan Joe for Furiosa
The actor is pulling double duty in the film.
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Ever since the first trailer dropped last year, fans around the world have been speculating wildly about who was playing Immortan Joe in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. In a trailer full of action, explosions, and robotic arms, the mystery of who was behind the mask loomed larger than anything else. Now that mystery has finally been solved.
Even if Immortan Joe’s original actor, Hugh Keays-Byrne, hadn’t sadly passed away in 2020, he likely would have been recast for a younger actor in the upcoming prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. Even after seeing a young Immortan Joe in the first trailer for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, it wasn’t clear who that younger actor would be. However, Empire has confirmed that Lachy Hulme will play Immortan Joe in Furiosa.
Not to play the “we told you so” card but we told you so.
Interestingly, it seems that Hulme wasn't cast in the role until after filming began. Hulme was already on set to play Rizzdale Pell, a member of Dementus's gang, when the decision to have Hulme pull double duty in the film was made. George Miller originally planned to use a body double for the role but Hulme said, "Well somebody needs to step up for Hugh. Someone needs to honor this great man. I can do it. I can do the voice. And it's all in the eyes."
Of all the actors on the cast list for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Lachy Hulme was the most logical choice. His facial structure, as much as you can see in the trailer, as well as his physical stature make him a good stand-in for Keays-Bryne. It will be interesting to see if he can play as menacingly deranged as his predecessor, but his performance in Preacher gives us some hope - not so much his role as Sparks in the Matrix movies.
Get a road map for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga with Popverse. From a look at Furiosa's new ride to an itinerary on how (and where) to watch all the Mad Max movies in chronological or release order.
