'Fury Road' stunt double reveals how 'challenging' Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron feud affected set
The tension between Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron made the Mad Max: Fury Road set a “challenging” place to be, according to Theron’s stunt double.
Production on Fury Road was difficult enough in the searing heat of Namibia, but Hardy and Theron’s well-publicised differences made matters even more difficult.
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Stunt performer Dayna Grant told Metro that she would double for Theron alongside Hardy, whereas his stunt double performed scenes with Theron.
She said: “It was hard because obviously I had to spend time with both of them and both of them didn’t want to be together.”
Grant said the “tension” between the two stars was obvious from the start of the shoot.
She added: “We were just told to try and make it work as much as possible, which was challenging, because usually you’re all in one big group and working together whereas we were kind of separated.”
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Both Hardy and Theron have spoken openly about their clashes on the set of Fury Road, with both giving interviews to the New York Times last year as part of an oral history of the movie.
Hardy confessed he was “in over my head” making the film and that he could “rise to that occasion better” if he was doing it today.
Theron, meanwhile, said she felt she didn’t have enough empathy with the pressure Hardy faced in replacing Mel Gibson and said “everything was about survival” for both actors.
Mad Max: Fury Road went on to become a critical and commercial hit, earning $375m (£295m) worldwide.
It was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, at the Academy Awards in 2016 and ended the night with six trophies.
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A sequel is currently in development that would delve into the life of Furiosa — the character played by Theron — before the events of Fury Road.
Theron is not due to reprise her role, with Killing Eve star Jodie Comer and The Witch lead Anya Taylor-Joy reportedly in the frame to take on the character.
Earlier this month, Theron admitted it was “a little heartbreaking” and “tough to swallow” that she would not have the chance to play Furiosa again.