Anya Taylor-Joy is “in love” with stunt double after filming Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Anya Taylor-Joy revealed that she is “in love” with her stunt double while filming Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga at a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday.

The Dune 2 star, who plays Furiosa, explained the importance of the stunt team in a film like Mad Max where epic action is a part of the emotional story.

“No action movie, and particularly Mad Max, exists without an incredible stunt department,” she said, lauding longtime Mad Max alumni Guy Norris before going on to praise the bond she had with her own stunt double, Hayley Wright.

“Even if you are throwing yourself into it as much as you possibly can, there is somebody that has tested that before you had to do that,” Taylor-Joy explained. “My stunt double Hayley Wright is my sister. She has been with me consistently. We met on this movie. She’s now one of my best friends in the world. Everything she did, I did too.

“And the important thing is that rather than it be an environment of aggression in any way, it was like, ‘I love you, I believe in you, you can do this and I will help you do this in the best possible way that you can.’ God, I love these stunt people, they’re so wonderful, they’re so incredible, and the best people on set, always.”

Her co-star Chris Hemsworth, who plays antagonist Dementus, went on to explain how he was delighted with how director George Miller allowed him to add comedy to his character’s viciousness and aggressive physicality.

“I’m a big believer in the playfulness of work and the two not having to be separate entities. No matter what the subject matter, I think it should be joyful,” he laughed. “The interesting thing about this character that struck me was that there was this villainous persona but it was very important for George and I to find the humanity in the character and to sprinkle in moments of humanity.”

Going on to describe how he added humour to Dementus’ interactions with Furiosa, he added, “I like the way that humour can lure you into a false sense of comfort so that when you do something that is violent, it’s unexpected.”

Having received strong reviews in Cannes, including from The Upcoming, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is imminently in cinemas in the UK.

Mark Worgan
Images: Festival de Cannes

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is released nationwide on 24^th May 2024.

Read more reviews from our Cannes Film Festival 2024 coverage here.

For further information about the event visit the Cannes Film Festival website here.

Watch the trailer for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga here: