Revisiting the past clash between Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy on the set of the action-packed movie, Mad Max: Fury Road, brings to light some intense moments.

In a revealing excerpt from Kyle Buchanan’s latest book, Blood, Sweat and Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road, showcased in Vanity Fair on February 22, the lead actors, who portrayed reluctant partners Furiosa and Max in the 2015 blockbuster, openly discussed their challenging relationship while working on the film.

Charlize compared their disagreements during filming to “two parents” having a dispute in the front seat while the kids observed silently in the back.

Reflecting on the past, Charlize described their on-set conflicts as oscillating between arguments and cold silences, much to the discomfort of the rest of the cast.

She acknowledged the unpleasant nature of their dynamic and admitted that they should have handled it better, taking responsibility for her part in it.

The star-studded cast, including Nicholas Hoult, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, and Zoë Kravitz, filmed the movie in the harsh desert landscape.

Charlize recalled the grueling shoot but emphasized that it did not excuse any unprofessional behavior.

In hindsight, Charlize now has a clearer understanding of the situation, recognizing the fear and pressure she experienced during filming.

Similarly, Tom Hardy acknowledged that he was out of his depth at times and joked about being a more mature and suitable partner now that time has passed.

The book also delves into accounts from other cast and crew members who witnessed the tension between Charlize and Tom on set.

According to them, the two actors clashed due to their contrasting approaches to their craft, causing frequent friction.

Descriptions from those involved in the production reveal the differing work styles of Charlize and Tom, with observations that Tom sought detailed justifications for every aspect of the action sequences, while Charlize focused on the raw emotion of the scenes.

The onset discord between the co-stars was palpable even before shooting began, as mentioned by first assistant director P. J. Voeten, who noted a brewing animosity between the actors during rehearsals.

Charlize recounted a particularly intense moment in Namibia when Tom’s lateness led to a confrontation that spiraled out of control, prompting her to feel unsafe.

Director George Miller intervened by bringing in producer Denise Di Novi to defuse the situation, providing Charlize with a sense of support and understanding.

Reflecting on the incident with Tom, Charlize expressed that, given the current climate, having a female producer involved would have been a wise decision to navigate such conflicts effectively.