It’s been a long road to “Mad Max: Fury Road,” George Miller’s continuation of his postapocalyptic series that began in 1979 with the film “Mad Max,” starring Mel Gibson. Tom Hardy now has the role, but the sparse dialogue and complicated, outrageous action remain. It’s a return to live-action terrain after Mr. Miller directed two animated films, “Happy Feet” and “Happy Feet Two.” In this video, Mr. Miller discusses the meeting of Max and Furiosa (Charlize Theron). In interviews at the South by Southwest film festival in Austin and in New York, Mr. Miller talked about updating the franchise.

How did it feel returning to the “Mad Max” universe?

It felt uniquely familiar. It’s like going back to an old hometown. In many ways, the world has changed. Cinema had changed. I changed. So it was an intesting feeling. But I felt comfortable coming back to live-action, after having been immersed in animation. It was difficult, while also being very rewarding. There was a kind of demented pleasure in working on it.

What new things did you try here that weren’t possible before?

When you see Max hanging upside down between the wheels of a speeding war rig, that’s actually Tom Hardy’s head a few inches from the ground. He’s harnessed there with two really strong cables. Previously, the cables would have been too thick to erase from the shot with visual effects. Now, you can do it easily, so you could get your actors right in there.

Where does “Fury Road” sit in the timeline of the “Mad Max” films?

It’s a bit complicated. The first film was a few years from now. “Road Warrior” was maybe 15 years later. This film is 45 years from now. This one happens in a more reduced landscape, where it’s now treeless.