Russell Crowe
Why? The Australian once touted as the next Mel Gibson should get on a plane to Australia to be the next Mel Gibson.
Crowe’s got everything a good Max needs – masculinity, menace and a mental glint in his eye. Hell, he's even got form playing a Max...imus.
He even looks a bit like Mel, if you squint. Let's get him in some biker gear, and let's get Beyonce in some chain mail and let's get this thing made.
Mad Enough? If Crowe’s Max runs out of weapons, he could always start chucking telephones. Either that or just use his bare hands. Or his teeth.
Sam Worthington
Why? He’s Australian, which ticks one key box. He also looks pretty tough.
Hopefully he learnt his lessons on how not to do a fourth instalment of a post-apocalyptic franchise on the set of Terminator Salvation.
If he hasn't, then we're in for a two hours of Max barking orders at his mates intercut with someone we don't care about wondering around looking miserable.
Which, as we're sure you'll agree, was definitely as much fun as Terminator 2's mix of catchphrases and explosions.
Mad enough? He’d be more Mopey Max judging by Salvation. Still, maybe the world’s ready for a Moody Max.
Tom Hardy
Why? We hadn’t considered Tom for Max until we heard the rumours that George Miller's considering casting him, now he’s pretty much top of our wish-list.
We know he's British, but the day we met a Brit who can't do an Aussie accent is the day we meet someone who didn't grow up on Neighbours. And that quite frankly, is too terrifying to contemplate.
Oh, and if you swop the mental moustache he sports in Bronson for a massive beard, well, he could be Mel’s Dark Years double.
It’s all in the eyes.
Mad enough? Totally. In fact, he’d probably have to dial it down a little bit.
Matt Damon
Why? We imagine a modern Max will be, like most action films these days, massively influenced by Bourne.
If that’s the case, and we’re going to see Max do close-up martial arts while a camera wobbles like it was left on a three-legged table, why not cast the actual Bourne?
Sure, Damon's a bit... dull to play an eccentric psychopath, but at least the fights will be exciting. What we'll be able to make out of them, anyway.
Mad Enough? Not even close. If Miller’s going for Mild Mannered Max, then by all means cast Damon. If not, he’s probably a little bit too mellow for Max.
George Clooney
Why? I n From Dusk ‘Til Dawn Clooney used his twinkle-eyed charisma to create a mixture of charming likeability and vague menace that would make him an ideal Max.
And if we've got Clooney, why not pack the flick with in-jokes? Maybe Max's leather chaps could get all messed up, and, whilst looking for replacement duds, George spots a batsuit, shakes his head and says 'nah.' Or, or, maybe Max could get so hungry he cooks and eats a fox? Okay, we're out.
Mad Enough? George Clooney only gets angry for good causes, so maybe George Miller could whisper something in his ear about Darfur before every take.
Brad Pitt
Why? Brad loves playing bog-eyed nut-jobs. He also loves playing distant, brooding types.
Combine the two and you’ve got another great contender for the shotgun.
Don't let Angelina find out, though. She'll only want to play the villain, and then she'd have to prance around in a leather outfit. Which would be terrible. obviously.
Mad Enough? He’s done crazy, but he’s only ever angry in an Irish accent.
Actually, the accent thing might be a problem. We’ve heard his Irish, and his Austrian. We’ve not sure if we can cope with his Australian.
Christian Bale
Why? Bale’s the go-to guy for franchise resurrections – we don’t know yet whether Mad Max 4 will be a straight sequel or a reboot.
If it’s the latter, Bale has to be in with a shout.
Mad Enough? Probably not. The person that ends up playing Max would need to tap into an ocean of inner rage.
We’re not sure if Christian has that in him.
Mel Gibson
Why? We’re not sure why Miller is bothering to recast Max when the original is still running around with a beaver on his hand.
We don’t want to meet Max’s son, we don’t want to have to pretend that Sam Worthington is worthy of the shotgun.
We want Mel Gibson’s Rocky 6. And we want it now.
Mad Enough? Look to your left. What do you think?
