Mad Max 4 was an R-rated film, and George Miller had big ambitions, demanding a hefty budget. Even with Mel Gibson attached to star and a script ready early on, it struggled to find backers.
It wasn't until 2003 that George Miller finally struck a deal with Twentieth Century Fox to get the movie made. They started prepping, planning to shoot once Mel Gibson wrapped The Passion of the Christ.
Then, disaster struck. The Iraq War broke out, prompting the U.S. to tighten travel and shipping restrictions with many countries. Miller's plan to film in Namibia's desert fell apart.
No way to ship the cars, no way to shoot.
By the time the war cooled down and restrictions eased, Mel Gibson found himself blacklisted by Hollywood.
That was the final nail in the coffin.
The Mad Max 4 project got shelved indefinitely.
It wasn't until 2012 that George Miller finally revived the deal with Fox, replacing Mel Gibson with Tom Hardy as Max. After countless setbacks, Mad Max 4 got greenlit.
Now, since Dunn had convinced Mel Gibson to skip The Passion of the Christ, it was time to lock in Mad Max 4.
They had to move fast—before the Iraq War kicked off. Get the project rolling, ship the modified vehicles and props to the African desert, and let George Miller start filming.
Grant Hill was Dunn Films' point person for Mad Max 4. With Dunn's blessing, he kept negotiating with George Miller.
Miller was eager to seal the deal too.
After a few days of mulling it over, he made some concessions. He agreed to forgo investing in the film, but his director's fee had to be met: $10 million plus 10% of the profits.
On the other side, Dunn personally hashed things out with Mel Gibson, settling on a deal for his contract: $20 million plus 10% of North American box office revenue.
Here's where Mel Gibson's outsider status showed.
Compare that to Will Smith, who scored $20 million plus 10% of global box office for Sony's Men in Black II. Or Arnold Schwarzenegger, who nabbed $30 million plus 20% of profits for Warner Bros.' Terminator 3.
Could either of them match Mel Gibson's box office draw?
Nope. But that's the game.
In Hollywood, Americans get paid more than foreigners.
Why? The unions look out for American interests first.
A week later, it was a done deal.
Mad Max 4 was officially a go, with a $120 million budget, co-produced by Dunn Films and Rose Pictures.
Grant Hill, Kathleen Kennedy, George Miller, and Mel Gibson were set as producers, with Miller directing and Gibson starring.
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Hollywood weekends were packed with parties.
Some were for networking, others for business.
Even New York's business titans like Murdoch or Redstone would jet to LA for the big ones.
Dunn's favorite? The fun ones. Wild ragers, bikini parties, lingerie parties—you name it. Surrounded by gorgeous women, it was hard to go wrong.
There were even wilder parties out there—drugs, gambling, debauchery, anything you could dream up.
Dunn went to one with Leonardo DiCaprio once. Ten minutes in, he bailed.
Couldn't handle it.
Lately, though, Dunn had been sticking to work parties.
Ever since his luxury yacht hit the scene, that's where he hosted them.
Not that he was trying to show off—his guests insisted.
The "NAT" yacht was the most luxurious, priciest, and largest private yacht in the world.
Even Hollywood's biggest stars were dying to step aboard and see it for themselves.
This weekend's party was all business, with execs from Dunn Films, Marvel Studios, Focus Features, and STA Network. No flashy starlets stealing the spotlight—just top brass and their spouses.
Dunn brought his girlfriend, Natalie, playing the gracious host.
But today, he wasn't focused on schmoozing execs or building relationships. His goal was locking in Mad Max 4.
George Miller showed up, beaming. "Dunn… mind if I call you Dunn? It's an honor to be invited to this shindig."
In Hollywood, Miller usually pulled $1.5-2 million per gig.
For Mad Max 4, Dunn offered him $10 million plus 10% of the profits.
That's some serious commitment.
At that price, Miller would've signed on for Mad Max 5 or 6 with Dunn Films, no question.
Dunn smiled. "Glad you're here. I wanted to talk about the female lead."
Miller had heard about Dunn's habit of strong-arming his way into picking actresses for his movies. He looked uneasy. "Dunn, the female lead in this one… she's not just eye candy. It's a meaty role. We need someone tough, athletic, maybe even willing to shave their head."
Dunn raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you've got someone in mind."
Miller nodded with a grin.
Dunn could almost bet it was Charlize Theron, who played the female lead in the Mad Max 4 from his previous life.
Last year, in The Unsinking, she ditched her usual glamour roles for a gritty oil worker, showing off serious acting chops. That fierce, unyielding vibe was perfect for Mad Max 4's lead.
Charlize Theron in this role? Dunn was all for it.
Keeps the wealth in the family, right?
Even if she hadn't been back to the Bel Air estate in months.
"I already told her," Miller said, pausing with a smile as he pointed behind Dunn. "Look, there they are!"
Dunn blinked, surprised.
Wait, what?
Charlize Theron needed Mel Gibson to escort her to his party?
He turned around and froze.
Not Charlize Theron.
"Director Walker, wow, this yacht is incredible! So grand! Once we set sail, I'm definitely heading to the deck to take it all in."
The woman in front of him fit Miller's description to a T—sharp features, a bold, sunny smile, and a strong, athletic build.
Honestly, she seemed like an even better fit for the role than Charlize Theron.
Dunn couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "An Oscar winner gracing us? I'm the one who's honored!"
It was none other than Hilary Swank, the Best Actress winner from two years ago.
Hilary Swank was an actor, not a celebrity—no scandals, no gossip, just her work doing the talking. She gave Dunn a polite nod, not fawning over him like some Hollywood actresses would.
Dunn wasn't thrilled with her looks and didn't have any ulterior motives. Keeping it professional, he said, "Ms. Swank, are you looking to play the female lead in Mad Max 4?"
"Why not?" Hilary Swank smiled, tossing the question back.
Miller jumped in. "I've been in touch with her the past few days. We've had… great talks."
"Oh?"
Dunn's gut pinged. He saw Miller's play.
The guy was worried Dunn would meddle with the casting, so he'd gone and locked in his choice before Dunn could say a word.
With an Oscar-winning actress like Hilary Swank standing right there, already approved by the director, could Dunn really say no?
Turning her down would mean burning a bridge with Swank.
Dunn didn't mind ruffling feathers, but there was no point.
Besides, Hilary Swank was arguably a better fit than Charlize Theron.
Her vibe was spot-on, her acting was top-notch, and she had more clout right now.
Dunn kept his cool. "I'm just surprised. This is a big commercial flick."
Swank laughed. "I've never said I won't do blockbusters. I just like challenging roles. Sure, Mad Max 4 is commercial, but Furiosa's a complex character. She's honestly more compelling than the male lead."
Dunn shot Miller a look. Well, damn—the guy had already shown her the script.
Swank kept going. "I really admire Furiosa. She's strong, independent, relentless, and fearless. It's a role with serious feminist vibes. When I heard Rose Pictures was producing, I didn't hesitate to say yes to Miller."
Dunn paused, then grinned. "That's fantastic. With you and Mel together, I bet you'll light up the screen."
Swank's eyes sparkled. "So… I've got the part?"
She might not do the Hollywood party circuit, but Dunn's reputation was loud and clear.
Dunn chuckled. "Absolutely. George and I are on the same page."
Miller let out a relieved breath, smiling wide.
He'd been terrified Dunn would push some random glamour girl on him. That would've been a disaster.
Thanks to Mel Gibson's help, it all worked out.
Then Dunn added, "But since it's a commercial movie, we need some eye candy. Doesn't Immortan Joe have a bunch of beautiful enslaved women? I know some Victoria's Secret angels who could cameo."
Miller's face twitched, but he sighed. "Sure… yeah, no problem."
Dunn nodded, satisfied. "Great. Kathleen and Grant are over there—go chat with them."
Just then, his sharp eyes caught Reese Witherspoon in the crowd.
She wasn't just an actress anymore. She'd gone from assistant to producer, now a key player at Rose Pictures. This year, she'd even worked as Kathleen Kennedy's assistant on Gone Girl.
Dunn, buzzing with excitement, sidled up to her, whispered something, and the two slipped out of the party hall.
Down to the yacht's lower deck, they hopped into a submarine to "check out the underwater world."
Actually exploring the ocean floor?
Nah, too boring.
After plane rides, car romps, and yacht flings, a submarine sea quake sounded pretty thrilling…
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