Anya Taylor-Joy cast as younger version of Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa character in ‘Mad Max’ prequel

The upcoming “Mad Max” movie has found its new star – and it’s not Charlize Theron.

Anya Taylor-Joy has been tapped to star in “Furiosa,” the prequel movie based on Theron’s Imperator Furiosa character from 2015 1/4 u2032s multi-Oscar winning blockbuster “Mad Max: Fury Road,” according to Variety.

Directed by George Miller, the spinoff will reportedly reveal the origins and track the genesis of Furiosa before she teamed up with Max Rockatansky in the last installment of the post-apocalyptic action film franchise (which originally starred Mel Gibson and most recently, Tom Hardy).

Miller, who helmed “Fury Road,” will also co-write and produce with his longtime producing partner Doug Mitchell through his own Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner.

Taylor-Joy has been on the rise since her official film debut as the star of Robert Eggers' low-budget yet successful 2015 horror flick, “The Witch.” The 24-year-old Miami native, who played the lead in the romantic comedy “Emma” – based on the legendary Jane Austen novel, also starred in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller “Split” and its sequel “Glass.”

Miller previously said he was searching for an actress in her 20s to take over the role after initially considering using de-aging technology in order to allow 44-year-old Theron to reprise that portion of the role.

But the 2017 Cannes Film Festival’s Trophée Chopard will play the younger version of the character.

“Furiosa” will also star Chris Hemsworth and recent Emmy Award winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

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