Anya Taylor-Joy has said she that filming Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga helped unlock her "feminine rage." The 28-year-old actress plays the titular character in the apocalyptic prequel which follows the origin story of the renegade warrior, previously played by Charlize Theron in Fury Road.
Now in a new interview, the Queen’s Gambit star, who was born in the US but went to school in the UK, discussed how the role impacted her personally, admitting it had taught her how to "harness anger" for herself.
She told British GQ: “I've developed a bit of a reputation for fighting for feminine rage, which is a strange thing, because I'm not promoting violence – but I am promoting women being seen as people.
“We have reactions that are not always dainty or unmessy.
“For all my championing of female rage, I've never been an angry person. For a long time the only time I ever got angry was on other people's behalfs.
“I've always internalised this thing of "I've done something wrong. If you treat me badly, it's because I am the problem.’
“And I'm so grateful for Furiosa, because there was a real moment where I started getting angry for myself.”
Taylor-Joy revealed that the shift was noticeable at home, with her husband Malcolm McRae noting, "I've never heard you speak like this before."
She continued: “I was like, ‘I’m glad! I’m glad that I’m angry!’ If someone steps on me now, I’m like, ‘Hey, f*** you!’ That makes me feel good.”
Last month the actress confirmed she secretly married McRae two years ago in a ceremony in New Orleans.
Alongside Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth stars as the warlord leader Dementus in the George Miller-directed flick.
The fifth installment in the Mad Max franchise is set 15 to 20 years before the events depicted in Mad Max: Fury Road.
The prequel to Fury Road was among the most highly anticipated premieres at this year's Cannes Film Festival, receiving a six-minute standing ovation.
Following the ovation, Miller commented, "We worked very hard on this film, and it'll be very interesting to see what you make of it. Thank you for having us."
