Is Tom Hardy the New Mad Max?

Update: Literally a week since this story was first reported, THR now confirms that Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron will headline Fury Road with the former being the new Mad Max. Filming is expected to start up next summer in Australia. What follows is the original article from last week.

Mad Max 4 just got one step closer to happening.

E! Online reports that although the film is quiet a ways-off and Warner Brothers has yet to sign off on his casting choices (which was one of many reasons behind his Justice League: Mortal going the way of New Coke), director George Miller is said to have already found his lead actors.

So who might fill in that worn out leather outfit once donned by Mel Gibson? If their sources are to be believed, it will be British actor Tom Hardy. You may remember him from his recent rather high-profile role of notorious prisoner Michael Gordon Peterson in Bronson. He also has a part in Christopher Nolan's forthcoming Inception and us nerds out there remember him from Star Trek: Nemesis (aka seven years before the franchise was officially deemed "cool!")

Probably thinking that the studio might want a more recognizable name among the cast (which will most likely be choked full of non-American actors), Miller is said to have pegged Charlize Theron for the female lead. She's quiet the rarity - beautiful, smart and talented.

None of this is final, mind you. But based solely on these casting tidbits (plot wise Miller is said to keep any and all details closely vested to himself and key production staff), I like the direction this is headed in. Let's just hope it actually happens.