The richly imagined world ofMad Maxboasts plenty of memorable villains, but the desolate landscape of the Wasteland could also believably house many other classic foes. While the likes of Immortan Joe, Lord Humungus, and Rictus Erectus makeMad Maxa fascinatingly varied and frightening franchise, there are many other characters who would fit right in as villains in this world created by George Miller. WhiletheMad Maxseriesboasts several sequels, if a crossover ever happened, these would be ideal candidates for inclusion.
Some of thesmartest sci-fi villainsof all time have characteristics that make them feel right at home within the Wasteland. From recent sci-fi releases that clearly pay homage to Miller’s creation right through to earlier classics, the post-apocalyptic, drought-stricken landscape would make for an excellent home to plenty of cunning criminals, deranged devils, and wicked wastelanders. While it’s unlikely these villains will ever come face-to-face with Max Rockatansky or fight alongside Immortan Joe, it’s fascinating to imagine them intheMad Maxuniverse.
10Zeus
Turbo Kid (2015)
Plenty of comparisons can be made between theMad Maxfranchise and the post-apocalyptic superhero happenings ofTurbo Kid. Both properties explore drought-ridden worlds, and the villainous Zeus (Michael Ironside) felt like he could have stepped right out of George Miller’s Wasteland. WhileZeus appeared at first to be a human, once viewers saw underneath his signature eyepatch, it became clear he was actually a robot designed to ruthlessly stamp out all competition in his world.
Robotics are nothing new to theMad Maxfranchise, as Furiosa’s robotic arm showcased that cyborg technology was available within the desolate Wasteland. WhileTurbo Kidwas set in an alternate version of 1997, much of its style and aesthetic mimicked the late 1970s and early 1980s look of the earliestMad Maxmovies. With this connection in mind, everything about Zeus’s character feels like it would be perfectly transported into Miller’s dystopian world.
Turbo Kid
Cast
In a post-apocalyptic future, THE KID, a young solitary scavenger obsessed with comic books must face his fears and become a reluctant hero when he meets a mysterious girl named APPLE. Despite their efforts to keep to themselves, ZEUS, the sadistic and self-proclaimed leader of the Wasteland, plagues THE KID and APPLE. Armed with little more than blind faith and an ancient turbocharged weapon, THE KID learns of justice and friendship and embarks on an incredible journey to rid the Wasteland of evil and save the girl of his dreams.
9Boba Fett
Star Wars (1977 - Present)
As an archetypical lone wolf and skilled warrior, theStar Warsfan favorite Boba Fett has plenty in common with the titularMad Maxhero. As a formidable foe who would add an air of skills and honor to the often underhanded and sinister tactics of the Wasteland, more so than any other character inStar Wars, Boba Fett would feel right at home inMad Max. Even his signature helmet and armor feel appropriate, considering all the strange iconography and aesthetics of the Wasteland.
Audiences have often seen Boba Fett and other Mandalorians exploring deserted landscapesand surrounded by rusty sand dunes. It’s easy to picture Boba Fett alongside other fugitives and warlords seen in the series. With a personal code of honor and enough gadgetry to rival the relatively primitive technologies of otherMad Maxvillains, to watch Boba Fett traverse the Wasteland would truly be a sci-fi lover’s dream come true.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
8Simon Phoenix
Demolition Man (1993)
While viewers were thrilled to watch Simon Phoenix run rampant in the distant, utopian future of 2032 inDemolition Man, another intriguing idea would be to see him wake up from a cryogenically frozen state in the dystopian landscape of the Wasteland. While the peace-loving residents of the metropolis of San Angeles didn’t know what to make of Simon Phoenix, his chaotic ruthlessness as an evil crime lord would fit right into the world ofMad Max. Without Sylvester Stallone’s John Spartan around to take him down,Simon would surely have excelled as he discovered the dark underbelly of the Wasteland.
Wesley Snipes gave a great performance inDemolition Man,and the character’s bright-colored clothing and bleached blonde hair mean his aesthetic also matches that ofMad Max. Not only would Simon’s energy suit the outrageous chaos of the Wasteland, but he’d also likely be a charismatic leader capable of gaining a similar following to that of Immortan Joe. As a wild card warlord, seeing Simon Phoenix inMad Maxis an exciting proposition.
Demolition Man
In the 1993 action movie Demolition Man, Sylvester Stallone stars as time-displaced police officer John Spartan, who struggles to adapt to the year 2032 after being cryogenically frozen for messing up a job. However, his old-school skills come in handy for innocent cop Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock) and the futuristic city of San Angeles when the criminal Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) is thawed and the complacent authorities don’t know how to react.
7Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
Dune (2021 - Present)
While it’s easy to picture the sinister sandworms ofDuneor the reluctant heroism of Paul Atreides in the world ofMad Max, it’s the villainous Baron Vladimir Harkonnen who stands out as the perfect candidate for a crossover. In Frank Herbert’s original novel, he described the Baron as “grossly and immensely fat” and that he requires anti-gravity devices known as suspensors to support his weight. As a wealthy evildoer, the sinister energy of the Baron would make him a formidable foe within the world ofMad Max.
While the Baron’s motivations were influenced by the long-standing feud between the Harkonnens of Giedi Prime and the Atreides of Caladan inDune, his willingness to support the extermination of familial lines would surely extend to anyone who stood in his way in the Wasteland. Both film characters of the Baron feel right at home inMad Max,asKenneth McMillan’s portrayal in David Lynch’sDunefeels appropriate for the original trilogy, while Stellan Skarsgård’s performance suits theFury RoadandFuriosaera much better.
Dune
Dunethe big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestseller of the same name. A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey,Dunetells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
6General Ursus
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
While theMad Maxfranchise has kept its characters within the realm of humanity, it’s not out of the question to imagine that beyond the Wasteland there lay other kinds of creatures. In the originalPlanet of the Apesfilm series, there was alsoa desolate landscape known as the Forbidden Zone, which was populated by those outcast from the ape-led society in the films. By blending these two ideas, this could open the door for General Ursus fromBeneath the Planet of the Apesto rear his head within the world ofMad Max.
General Ursus was a gorilla and the general of Ape City’s army who instigated the invasion of the Forbidden Zone, which led to the destruction of Earth. However, rather than take part in the Gorilla War, it would be an interesting turn of events for him to encounter the unpredictable soldiers, the War Boys, instead. While it’s difficult to predict who would emerge victorious, one thing that’s certain is General Ursus would fit right into this world.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Astronaut Brent’s quest to locate his missing comrade Taylor leads him to a dystopian future Earth where intelligent apes reign supreme. While searching for Taylor, Brent stumbles upon a hidden society of telepathic mutants living beneath the planet’s surface. These mutants, who idolize a doomsday nuclear weapon, pose a significant threat to the apes.
5The Terminator
Terminator (1984 - Present)
While the Terminator was an unstoppable killing machine created with a singular purpose, if he found his way into the world ofMad Maxhe would fit right in. The T-800 cybernetic organism was created by Skynet for the purposes of travelling back in time and stopping the future savior of mankind, John Connor, from ever being born. With a cyberpunk aesthetic, leather jacket, and signature sunglasses, had the Terminator been instead sent to the Wasteland, he would have made the perfect purpose-driven killing machine for Immortan Joe and the War Boys.
With the right set of programming,the Terminator would have made quick work of Mad Max and Furiosa, or if he reprogrammed, he could also fight on the side of the heroes like inTerminator 2: Judgment Day. The Terminator’s endoskeleton and durability mean he could survive within the dystopian landscape as he does not require water or sustenance to stay alive. As a product of the apocalyptic post-Judgment Day society, the Terminator already has his origins in a desolate and barren wasteland world.
Terminator
The Terminator franchise, launched by James Cameron in 1984, explores a dystopian future where intelligent machines wage war against humanity. The relentless pursuit of key human figures by time-traveling cyborg assassins known as Terminators is central to the narrative. John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance, is the core target of the malicious machines.
4Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
The Fifth Element (1997)
As a cunning and ruthless warlord, Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg already felt like something straight out ofMad Maxwhen audiences were introduced to him in Luc Besson’sThe Fifth Element. With a flamboyant sense of fashion and sinister sensibilities, it’s easy to picture Zorg as the ruler of a Wasteland faction who would likely attempt to overthrow Immortan Joe and stamp out any attempts against him by anti-heroes like Max Rockatansky.
While the world ofMad Maxis one categorized by drought and a lack of resources, Zorg would be the kind of warlord who hoards luxuries for his own use. With brute force,Zorg’s willingness to stockpile resources for himselfwould be his ultimate downfall, and much in the same way he met a gruesome end inThe Fifth Element,he would be viciously killed by those he had undermined inMad Max.
The Fifth Element
Set in 23rd-century New York City, The Fifth Element stars Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, an ex-army major turned cab driver who unwittingly becomes part of a fight to protect Earth from an approaching evil after a strange woman named Leeloo accidentally falls into his cab. Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, and Chris Tucker also star.
3Ming The Merciless
Flash Gordon (1980)
Much in the same way the lack of resources on planet Earth led to warring factions inMad Max, the sci-fi universe presented inFlash Gordonwas packed with equally oppressed and conflict-ridden populations. The most villainous of all adversaries seen inFlash Gordonwas Ming the Merciless, whose tyrannical, godlike aura would feel right at home in the Wasteland. As a foe who positioned himself as almost divine in nature,the self-flagellation of Ming makes him a typicalMad Max-style maniac.
Emperor Ming the Merciless was played by Max von Sydow in the 1980Flash Gordonfilm and whose subsequent roles in everything fromGame of ThronestoStar Warsmade him a recognizable face across all genres and styles. While Sydow sadly passed away in 2020, Ming’s iconic status, going as far back as the original comic strip in 1934, means he could easily be recast with a new actor. With the power to manipulate weather, Ming’s potential to rule with an iron fist across the Wasteland is practically endless.
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon (1980) is a science fiction film directed by Mike Hodges, featuring Sam J. Jones as the titular hero. Flash, a football player, battles the evil Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) who threatens Earth. Accompanied by Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) and Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol), Flash navigates an intergalactic struggle. The film is noted for its vibrant visuals and a memorable score by Queen.
2Duke Of New York
Escape from New York (1981)
The Duke of New York in John Carpenter’s cult favoriteEscape from New Yorkimmediately comes to mind as the perfect villain to join the litany of criminals seen across theMad Maxfranchise. As a cunning crook who wasted no time in kidnapping President John Harker after he crash-landed in his citywide penitentiary, it’s obvious that the Duke would quickly adapt to the harsh landscape of the Wasteland. Through a combination of fear, charisma, and resource control, the Duke would surely quickly become the leader of a ruthless gang of outlaws in George Miller’s post-apocalyptic world.
As an urban dweller, the Duke would feel right at home in the trading post Bartertown, first seen inMad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Much like with Tina Turner’s incredible turn as Aunty Entity, the Duke would similarly gain a prominent position as he got to grips with the complex economy of its trade-based system.The Duke’s style and aesthetic already look right at home in the world ofMad Max,so his appearance in the franchise would be a welcome addition.
Escape From New York
John Carpenter takes on the role of writer, composer, and director in Escape from New York, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film where a large portion of New York City is converted into the biggest prison in the world, with all criminals in the United States sentenced there. When the President is kidnapped and taken abruptly into the heart of the prison, the government will turn to former soldier turned convict Snake Plissken to rescue him within twenty-four hours in exchange for a full pardon of his crimes.
1The Deacon
Waterworld (1995)
Just based on his aesthetic alone, the Deacon from the post-apocalyptic action movieWaterworldalready looks like he’d fit right into the Wasteland seen throughout theMad Maxfranchise. With typicallyunhinged performance from Dennis Hopper, the Deacon lives in a world with the total opposite problem asMad Max, as rather than live with the consequence of widespread drought, the melting of the polar ice caps means the planet has become enveloped in water.
With his signature eyepatch, the Deacon was Soul-Keeper of the Deez and leader of the Smokers, whose entire vibe lines up perfectly with the barren world created by George Miller.Waterworldhad plenty in common withMad Maxand was actually the most expensive movie of all time when it was released in 1995 (viaForbes.) While a crossover between the two franchises feels unlikely, it would be extraordinary to see the Deacon team up with Immortan Joe.
Waterworld
Waterworld follows a lone drifter known as “The Mariner”, played by Kevin Costner, who finds himself in a conflict between a group of survivors seeking a mythical place called “Dryland” and a gang of pirates who want to capture and enslave them. Directed by Kevin Reynolds, the 1995 post-apocalyptic action movie is set in a future where sea levels have risen, covering most of the Earth’s landmass.
