Mad Max, the Australian 1979 cult film which became one of the most original, dystopian, and riveting action pictures of all time, spawning a franchise and making its original titualar character Mel Gibson a superstar, is being rebooted. Hall H in today’s Warner Brothers panel proceedings gave the details of Mad Max: Fury Road at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con in sunny San Diego, California.

Moderated by the witty Chris Hardwick and showcasing one George Miller, who directed not only the original film but is also handling the reboot from the directorial chair, there was a wonderful poignancy to their chat, especially when Miller let slip that this was his very first Comic-Con appearance. Miller himself gave us a backstory on the original film and that he was spellbound that he was actually making a new version of the franchise in 2014.

Starring Tom Hardy stepping into the grand canyon-sized shoes that Gibson wore, who had such a firm handle on the character, Miller spoke of being able to utilize the new technology which would blend with the original approach Miller took to the first films of the franchise. The film also stars Charlize Theron, who couldn’t be there in person, but sent a heartfelt video message to the crowd.

Exclusive footage was then screened — retaining the soul of the original, heightened by bigger production values — which was a hyper kinetic flurry of scenes and sequences, explosions and high octane car chases existed in a vortex of eye candy and deafening sounds to create a miasma and if anything, showcased just what genius Miller has on this genre and this project, which is all his own and will always be.

Titled Mad Max: Fury Road, the highly anticipated release will bridge and old generation of fans who loved the original trilogy and a new generation of rabid fans when it hits theaters in May 2015.

Panel Photos

[All panel photos by Dave3 for Geeks of Doom]