It’s puzzling how one of the most talked-about films of the year turned into one of its biggest disappointments. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga—directed by George Miller, who has spent 45 years shaping his dystopian world—did not meet expectations despite the success of Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015. Instead of continuing with Max Rockatansky’s story, Miller chose to explore the origins of Imperator Furiosa.

This decision divided audiences. Many were excited to see more of Furiosa, an iconic character and one of the strongest female leads in recent cinema. Others were disappointed, wanting the focus to remain on Max Rockatansky. The mixed reactions contributed to a poor box office showing.

Furiosa barely covered its production costs, and any plans for additional films in the series now seem uncertain. The film’s underperformance is a significant setback for the franchise, which had the potential to expand with this installment. However, with its recent release on streaming platforms like Max, Furiosa might still find the audience it deserves and receive the recognition it missed during its initial release.

The film serves as a companion piece to Fury Road, leading directly into the events of the 2015 movie and forming a continuous narrative. In Fury Road, Furiosa, portrayed by Charlize Theron, is on a mission to return to her childhood sanctuary, the Green Place of Many Mothers. Furiosa delves into her past, showing how she was taken from this haven and separated from the warrior women who protected it.

Set fifteen years before the events of Fury Road, the story follows a younger Furiosa, played by Alyla Browne, as she is kidnapped by a ruthless biker gang and brought to the stronghold of Dementus, an ambitious warlord played by Chris Hemsworth. As she attempts to escape and return to the Green Place, Furiosa becomes entangled in a power struggle between Dementus and Immortan Joe, a brutal ruler in the Wasteland.

Over time, Furiosa, now portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, evolves into a fierce road warrior, driven by love, loss, and a thirst for revenge. Dementus, who seeks to exploit her home for his gain, becomes her primary target, especially after his actions lead to her mother’s death—a defining moment that propels Furiosa on her path of vengeance.

Hemsworth’s Dementus is one of many genius additions to Miller’s Wasteland.Warner Bros. Pictures

Furiosa is not just a tale of survival and vengeance; it’s an epic dystopian narrative about hope, power, and the harsh realities of the Wasteland. Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth deliver standout performances, with Dementus serving as a chaotic counterforce to Furiosa’s relentless determination. Their rare but explosive confrontations drive the film’s narrative.

While Furiosa may not have the relentless pace of its predecessor, the action sequences are intense and memorable, showcasing Miller’s distinct style. The film offers a deeper look into how characters like Furiosa are shaped by their brutal environment. It’s a story that only Miller could tell, and while the film may not have resonated with all audiences in theaters, its release on streaming platforms gives it a second chance. Hopefully, this will allow Furiosa to reach the audience it truly deserves.

Fortnite players are eagerly awaiting the launch of Chapter 5 Season 4, but first, the game’s servers are set to go offline for scheduled maintenance. As Fortnite transitions from Chapter 5 Season 3 to the new season, here’s what you need to know about the downtime and what exciting features are coming next.

Why Are Fortnite Servers Offline?

Fortnite servers are going offline on Thursday night into Friday morning as Epic Games prepares to roll out the latest update. The current season, Chapter 5 Season 3, will officially end at 11 p.m. ET on August 15. Following the season’s conclusion, servers will go offline for maintenance, allowing Epic Games to upgrade the game to version 31.00. The official Fortnite Status account on X (formerly known as Twitter) has confirmed these details.

While the downtime is necessary to implement the new content, it’s worth noting that previous season transitions have typically required around four hours of maintenance. According to estimates from Polygon, this means Fortnite servers could be back online by approximately 3 a.m. ET. However, server maintenance can sometimes take longer than anticipated, as seen during the launch of Chapter 5 Season 2, which experienced extended downtime.

What to Expect in Chapter 5 Season 4: “Absolute Doom”

The upcoming Fortnite season, titled “Absolute Doom,” promises to bring a fresh wave of excitement to the game. The trailer for the new season debuted at the Fortnite D23 event on August 10, showcasing an array of Marvel-themed content that has fans buzzing.

Among the highlights of Chapter 5 Season 4 are new weapons inspired by popular Marvel characters. Players can expect to wield Black Panther’s claws and Captain America’s shield, adding a superheroic flair to their in-game battles. Additionally, Wolverine makes a unique appearance as a banana-themed character known as Peelverine, blending humor with the action-packed gameplay Fortnite is known for.

Beyond the new weapons and characters, Marvel enthusiasts will also find hidden clues about upcoming movies and TV shows within the game. Forbes has described this season as a more interactive and cross-media collaboration than previous seasons, offering players a chance to engage with the Marvel Universe in innovative ways.

As the Fortnite community prepares for the downtime and the excitement of the new season, players are advised to stay tuned to official channels for updates on server status and to be ready to dive into the new content as soon as the servers are back online. With Chapter 5 Season 4 on the horizon, the battle for victory royale is about to get even more thrilling.

Former Disney Channel star Skai Jackson, known for her role in “Jessie,” found herself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons last week. The actress was arrested on August 9, 2024, after a public altercation with her boyfriend at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood, California.

The incident unfolded when security personnel at Universal CityWalk observed Jackson and her boyfriend engaging in a heated argument. According to witnesses and footage reviewed by authorities, Jackson allegedly pushed her boyfriend multiple times. Security intervened and detained the couple until the police arrived on the scene.

Jackson was arrested on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery and was cited before being released a few hours later. The case is now under review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to determine if further legal action will be taken.

Despite the charges and the apparent evidence, both Jackson and her boyfriend have denied any physical altercation. The couple claims they are happily engaged and expecting a child together. This unexpected turn of events has left many of Jackson’s fans shocked and concerned.

Skai Jackson, who gained viral fame as a meme in 2016, has largely kept her personal life out of the public eye. This incident marks a rare glimpse into her private world, which has now become the subject of widespread media attention.

While Jackson’s legal troubles are under scrutiny, this situation has also sparked comparisons to other former Disney Channel stars who have faced legal issues, such as Orlando Brown and Mitchel Musso.

As the story continues to develop, fans and followers are eagerly waiting for more updates on Jackson’s situation and her future in the entertainment industry.