5 Questions Furiosa Answered and 5 We Still Have

5 Questions Furiosa Answered & 5 We Still Have

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at burning questions that “Furiosa” answered and questions we still have about the “Max Max Saga.” Beware the following spoilers!

#5 Answered: How Did Furiosa Become an Imperator?

In the “Fury Road” tie-in comics, it’s revealed that Furiosa was brought to Immortan Joe for breeding. After she was found to be barren, Furiosa rose through the ranks, earning the title of Imperator. This is somewhat retconned in George Miller’s prequel film. Joe initially accepts Furiosa in a trade, intent on making her one of his wives. However, it’s never confirmed if she’s barren. Furiosa thankfully manages to avoid having sex with Joe or any of his allies. For years, Furiosa lives in the Citadel under the guise of a mute male. The truth eventually comes out. With Furiosa bringing down Dementus and the Biker Horde, though, she proves herself more valuable as a warrior, paving the way for her to become Imperator Furiosa.

#5 Unanswered: What’s Dementus’ Backstory?

In the opening act, we learn that the Biker Horde kidnapped Furiosa as a child and their leader, Dementus, is responsible for killing her mother. Yet, we know little about who Dementus was before Furiosa entered his life. It’s suggested that Dementus’ family was slaughtered and all that remains is a teddy bear. Of course, Dementus also claims that Furiosa is his daughter at one point, which we know is a lie. So, nothing Dementus says should be considered the gospel truth. While the bear is more than likely connected to somebody he lost, it’s unclear if Dementus was ever a sympathetic figure. Maybe the death of a loved one sent him down this path, but we bet he was always this power-hungry and bloodthirsty.

#4 Answered: Where Did The Organic Mechanic Come From?

“Fury Road” was full of side characters who left us asking, “Who is this person and what’s their story?” While “Furiosa” appropriately keeps the focus on its titular heroine, we do get a mini backstory for one supporting player. When Dementus arrives at the Citadel to negotiate, Immortan Joe wants two things: 1) Furiosa and 2) The Organic Mechanic. “Fury Road” fans will recognize The Organic Mechanic as the doctor who delivers Joe’s babies with less-than-desirable results. It turns out that he was originally a member of the Biker Horde, although Dementus doesn’t think twice about trading him. Between Furiosa and The Organic Mechanic, it’s emphasized that Joe wants a healthy son, which seemingly no one in this wasteland can give him.

#4 Unanswered: How Did Immortan Joe Rise to Power?

With the film exploring Furiosa’s origins, fans wondered if we’d also get to see a young Immortan Joe establish the Citadel. When Furiosa and Dementus arrive at the Citadel, though, Immortan Joe has already ascended to the height of his reign. Also, young Joe doesn’t look much different than older Joe. It’s like the guy never ages, and we don’t necessarily mean that as a compliment. It should be noted that the comics have delved deeper into the villain’s backstory, revealing that he was once Colonel Joe Moore, a soldier who earned his “immortal” name after capturing an aquifer. Within the continuity of the films, however, Joe remains something of a mystery. A mediocre mystery! Sorry, had to say it at least once!

#3 Answered: How Did Furiosa Come to the Citadel?

After watching her mother die and being imprisoned by the Biker Horde, Furiosa refuses to give up the location of her home, the Green Place. Dementus loses interest in the Green Place upon learning of the Citadel. When taking over the Citadel doesn’t pan out, Dementus exchanges Furiosa for a patch of land. While Furiosa knows neither option is ideal, she’d rather be at the Citadel than with her mother’s murderer. From there, we see young Furiosa go from a reluctant breeder, to a Citadel worker trying to maintain a low profile, to the road warrior we know her as. Furiosa never forgets where she came from. Before she tries finding her way home, Furiosa seeks to free the Citadel’s enslaved wives first.

#3 Unanswered: Is Dementus Dead?

It’s implied that Furiosa could’ve gotten her vengeance against Dementus in a few different ways. According to the narrator, Furiosa told him what really happened. Taking him back to a cave at the Citadel, Furiosa merged Dementus and the seed her mother gave her. When we last see Dementus, he’s nothing but skin and bones as a tree grows out of his withering body. One might assume that Dementus wasted away to nothing by the beginning of “Fury Road’s” events. Since Furiosa wants to make Dementus pay for stealing her childhood, though, perhaps she kept him hanging on by a thread, making him feel every year he took from her. Whether or not Dementus met his demise, it appears he’s pushing up apples.

#2 Answered: Why Does Furiosa Shave Her Head?

Charlize Theron suggested that she shave her head for “Fury Road,” finding none of the other hairstyles worked. Since Furiosa is constantly engulfed in action, it made practical sense to keep her hair short. That’s presumably why Furiosa cuts her long locks heading into the prequel’s climax. That’s not the first Furiosa goes bald. Being introduced to the other wives, it doesn’t take long for Furiosa to realize she’s a target. This marks the first time Furiosa cuts her hair, which she weaves into a wig. Furiosa uses this headpiece to give her assailant the slip, going into hiding as a boy. While Furiosa looks equally badass with a full head of hair, her shaved look sends a bold message not to mess with her.

#2 Unanswered: Seriously, How Old Is Max?

As Furiosa treks through the wasteland, a man with a familiar vehicle and black jacket watches from afar. Although we don’t get a good look at his face, it’s clear who this is. George Miller confirmed that this prequel occurs 15 years before “Fury Road,” but the “Mad Max” timeline still has us chronologically confused, especially considering Max Rockatansky’s age. The first two “Mad Max” films supposedly took place in the 80s while “Thunderdome” occurred a decade-and-a-half later. It’s been said that “Fury Road” is set around 2050. So, by the time he meets Furiosa, Max should look more like an elderly Mel Gibson than a young Tom Hardy… assuming this is the same Max. Like most legends, it’s hard to pin down specific details.

#1 Answered: How Did Furiosa Lose Her Arm?

Furiosa’s mechanical arm in “Fury Road” added another level of mystery that made the character all the more fascinating. Charlize Theron claims that Miller told her how Furiosa lost her arm, but she didn’t let the secret out. Nine years later, we see Furiosa’s arm practically torn off after clashing with Dementus in vehicular combat. Dementus chains Furiosa up by her damaged arm while he makes Praetorian Jack’s last moments painful. Knowing that the same fate awaits her, Furiosa detaches herself. Furiosa not only abandons her arm, but also the map of the stars she tattooed on her skin, making it even harder to find the Green Place. Returning to the Citadel, Furiosa picks up a shiny new toy for her final round with Dementus.

#1 Unanswered: How Did The Green Place Descend Into Waste?

“Fury Road” builds to a powerhouse moment when Furiosa learns that the wasteland as she once knew it is no more. In the prequel, we see the Green Land at its most prosperous before Furiosa is taken. Beyond this initial scene, no further insight is provided regarding how this land of abundance became just another hopeless wasteland. All we know is that the water turned poison, the crows came, and by the time Furiosa found her way back, only seven Vuvalini remained. There are still a lot of unspoken details about this society’s collapse. In any case, the Green Place lives on through Furiosa, who plants the seed of rebellion and grows a new home where her enemies once stood.

What questions do you still have? Do you have any answers to share? Either way, let us know in the comments!