Renner Wants Mad Max

Friday the Modesto Bee published an interview with The Hurt Locker star Jeremy Renner. In the article Renner discusses the acclaim from his recent role and also what he has lined up for the future. Renner confirms heading to Boston to star opposite Ben Affleck in Affleck's latest directorial effort "The Town" but he also drops another bombshell that has caused some reason for speculation. Renner tells the Modesto Bee that his wants to play Mad Max! He said, "I'm also fighting to do the new Mad Max film with George Miller. That might be next summer. I'm screen-testing and meeting George Miller." To read the full story scroll down...

There has been some varying stories coming from the George Miller camp surrounding a new Mad Max. We know that the original plan was to make Mad Max 4 back in 2003, but the current Iraq conflict ended up stalling that. Since then Miller has made a few public statements concerning his popular franchise. First, back in 2007 Miller told the Herald Sun that Mel Gibson definately wont be returning for a sequel. So we assumed that Miller would be re-casting the title role or further developing the Max universe and adding some fresh new characters. Then back in March Miller told MTV news he was considering making the fourth Mad Max an animated feature. He said, "The anime is an opportunity for me to shift a little bit about what anime is doing because anime is ripe for an adjustment or sea change." This scoop left fans stuck with the knowledge that all we could expect from Mad Max was an animated feature. The story then shifted again in May when the Daily Telegraph reported that locations were being scouted for the fourth live-action film and that production could start by the end of this year.

Now we have the Modesto Bee scoop informing Mad Max fans that perhaps, George Miller is really doing a live-action fourth Mad Max after all. Jeremy Renner is clearing not fighting for a animated role and with him opening up about the role, we know that he has met with Miller and tested for the role. Jeremy Renner seems like an obvious choice. He has the grit, he has the charm and he can definately handle the action. Renner would also make a nice transition, who should keep a majority of the original fans at least showing up to theaters. A real easter-egg to fans would be to have Gibson appear in some form handing down the mantle, but that is extremely doubtful. Renner's comments also point to the film actually starting production next year, instead of late this year as the Telegraph report eluded. More news on a fourth Mad Max is sure to follow...

What say you? Does Jeremy Renner sound like a possible fit for Mad Max? Strikeback...