<P> Fury Road was in development hell for many years, with pre-production starting as early as 1997 . Attempts were made to shoot the film in 2001 and 2003, but were delayed due to the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War . In 2007, after focusing on Happy Feet, Miller decided to pursue producing the film again . He briefly considered producing it as a computer - animated film but abandoned it in favor of live - action . In 2009, Miller announced that filming would begin in early 2011 . Hardy was cast as Max in June 2010, with production planned to begin that November . Principal photography was delayed several more times before beginning in July 2012 . The film wrapped in December 2012, although additional film footage was shot in November 2013 . </P> <P> The film had its world premiere on 7 May 2015 at the TCL Chinese Theatre . It began a worldwide theatrical release on 14 May 2015, including an out - of - competition screening at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, in 2D, 3D, IMAX 3D and 4DX . It has grossed over $378 million worldwide, making it the highest - grossing film in the Mad Max franchise . The film was ranked by many critics as the best film of 2015, and is considered one of the greatest action films ever made; acclaim went to its direction, screenplay, action sequences, and ensemble cast . Fury Road won multiple critical and guild awards, and received ten Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Director for George Miller . It won six: Costume Design, Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Film Editing, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing . </P> <P> Following a nuclear holocaust, the world has become a desert wasteland and civilization has collapsed . Max Rockatansky, a survivor, is captured by the War Boys, the army of the tyrannical Immortan Joe, and taken to Joe's Citadel . Designated a universal blood donor, Max is imprisoned and used as a "blood bag" for a sick War Boy called Nux . Meanwhile, Imperator Furiosa, one of Joe's lieutenants, is sent in her armoured semi-truck, the "War Rig", to collect gasoline . When she drives off - route, Joe realizes that his five wives--women selected for breeding--are missing, and fleeing with her . Joe leads his entire army in pursuit of Furiosa, calling on the aid of nearby Gas Town and the Bullet Farm . </P> <P> Nux joins the pursuit with Max strapped to his car to continue supplying blood . A battle ensues between the War Rig and Joe's forces . Furiosa drives into a sand storm, evading her pursuers, except Nux, who attempts to sacrifice himself to destroy the Rig . Max escapes and restrains Nux, but the car is destroyed . After the storm, Max finds Furiosa repairing the Rig, accompanied by the wives: Capable, Cheedo, Toast, the Dag and the Splendid Angharad, who is heavily pregnant with Joe's child . Max steals the Rig, but its kill switch disables it . Max reluctantly agrees to let Furiosa and the wives accompany him; Nux climbs on the Rig as it leaves and attempts to kill Furiosa, but is overcome and thrown out, and is picked up by Joe's army . </P>

How does the world end in mad max