Why A Marvel Star Walked Away From Furiosa: A Mad Mad Saga (Exclusive)

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, currently starring in the Marvel show Wonder Man, has explained why he left George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in 2021. He shared a reason for leaving that many people can understand.

Abdul-Mateen remembered being completely exhausted from working constantly. About a year before filming began, he contacted director George Miller and Warner Brothers to explain that he needed a break. He was worried about not being able to give his best performance if he continued at that pace, and he was grateful they understood and respected his need for time off.

Looking back, choosing to be part of the Mad Max world was huge for me. I remember talking to George Miller, the co-creator of the whole franchise, and he was incredible even before filming started. We spent over a year just chatting on the phone and going over early designs – it felt like a really collaborative process, just bouncing ideas back and forth.

Honestly, when I first heard about it, my immediate thought was, ‘This is Mad Max! And it’s directed by George Miller!’ That’s huge. I felt a little intimidated, to be frank. I really had to be honest with myself about what I needed at that point in my career. I realized I just needed a breather, a break. I told myself I’d wait until the right project came along – one I knew I’d want to be a part of. I was getting offered roles, but I was politely declining, trusting that I’d recognize the perfect opportunity when it arrived.

This movie is the fifth installment in the Mad Max series. It’s a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road from 2015, and tells the story of a young Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, showing how she grew up in the harsh wasteland and eventually became a powerful Imperator.

Tom Burke, known for his work on The Lazarus Project, has taken over the role of Praetorian Jack, the leader of the Citadel’s main war vehicle.

What’s Next for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II?

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is starring in the upcoming Disney+ series Wonder Man, set to debut on January 27th. He’ll play Simon Williams, an actor trying to land the lead role in a remake of the Wonder Man show within the Marvel universe, all while secretly possessing his own superpowers.

The cast of Wonder Man includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, alongside Zlatko Burić as the secretive director Von Kovak. Demetrius Grosse will play Eric Williams, Simon’s brother and known as the Grim Reaper, and Arian Moayed joins as P. Cleary, an agent from the Department of Damage Control. Ben Kingsley will reprise his role as Trevor Slattery, the actor who previously portrayed the Mandarin in Iron Man 3.

Wonder Man debuts on Disney+ on Jan. 27.

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2026-01-26 16:37