Director George Miller is moving ahead with the fourth installment in the Mad Max franchise, Fury Road.  They've got they're lead actors with Tom Hardy (Bronson) taking over the role of 'Mad' Max Rockatansky from "Mad" Mel Gibson; Charlize Theron is also attached to co-star.  Filming began last October and they're reportedly going to shoot for 30 weeks and may cost $100 million.  To put that in perspective, a mid-size film takes about four to six weeks.  This extended shoot may lend credence to at least one of the rumors about the film that surfaced today [via /Film].

Translating this page with the help of technology, Tout Le Cine says that the film will blend live action with animation.  I can see how setting up shots to make sure the two blend together could require more time.  Then again, it's difficult for me to comprehend what director needs 30 weeks of filming for just one movie.  On a separate note, /Film reports that sources have told them the film will be in 3D as a result of "The Avatar Effect".  I find this one more difficult to accept since filming has already been going on for over two months now and it seems a little late in the game to have Avatar re-define Miller's film, especially if Miller didn't have 3D in mind in the first place.  It's possible he could create the effect in post, but that would sadly seem like bandwagon-hopping.  Then again, that's The Avatar Effect: 3D makes everything "better" even though James Cameron always intended his film to be in 3D, rather than making that decision in post-production.

Fury Road is set to hit theaters some time in 2011.