On May 24, 2024, the controversial third season of Fortnite Chapter 5 launched, thrusting players into a frenzied and chaotic map. A portion of it has been overtaken by a desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland occupied by sparse thrown-together structures. Players don’t want to be caught traversing it on foot, either, seeing as massive weapon-equipped vehicles of all varieties roam the landscape. It’s all very much Mad Max-inspired, and yet, there’s no Mad Max tie-in to be seen.
The very same day Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 3 kicked off, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga released in theaters. After ages of development, the story of Mad Max: Fury Road’s favorite Imperator Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) was told on the big screen. Thus, it seemed like an opportune time to add some Mad Max franchise skins to the item shop, or even as part of the Battle Pass. Instead, for whatever reason, Fallout skins were added to the game. While these aren’t totally inappropriate for the dystopian setting, they don’t quite mesh with the nitro-fueled mayhem the season has to offer.
Though no concrete reason for the lack of Mad Max skins has come to light, it stands to reason there was some kind of licensing issue that prevented their inclusion. In the event such troubles are remedied before the season ends, however, Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 3 could use, at the very least, these five of the many weird and wild Mad Max universe characters.
5. Nux (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Along with a host of other villains, Mad Max: Fury Road introduces the War Boys to the Mad Max mythology. They’re a fanatical lot who serve the Citadel with pride, fiercely protecting its leadership without question. Among them is Nux (Nicholas Hoult), who goes from a deeply committed War Boy to a hero of the Wasteland, ultimately giving his life to help the likes of Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and Furiosa (Charlize Theron) defeat Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne/Lachy Hulme) and his forces.
Nux would be an excellent addition to the latest Fortnite season. He has a unique look and is one of the most energetic characters in Fury Road, hence why he’s so fondly remembered almost a decade after the film’s release. Not to mention, his car, the Chevrolet 5 Window Coupe 1934, would be a blast to drive around in. An exclusive emote featuring him spraying his teeth with chrome spray paint, a War Boys tradition in battle, would be the cherry on top.
4. Dementus (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)
Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) makes his Mad Max franchise debut in Furiosa, and he’s quite a unique entity in a world full of them. The leader of the Biker Horde, he takes Furiosa in at the start of the film, only for them to drift apart in short order. As they clash and he gives up on her ever seeing him as her adoptive father, Dementus becomes increasingly manipulated by the Wasteland. By the film’s end, he’s nothing short of a charismatic yet violent warlord, ultimately killed by Furiosa after being defeated in battle.
Though he’s a new addition to the Mad Max film canon, Dementus is more than worthy of a Fortnite skin. He has several costume changes throughout Furiosa that could justify alternate looks, his motorcycle chariot would be awesome to drive around the map, and, overall, his inclusion would be some nice (albeit a bit late) promotion for Furiosa. Besides, the character is just Chris Hemsworth running around in crazy costumes acting like a wild man. Who wouldn’t want to drop a few V-bucks on that?
3. Immortan Joe (Mad Max: Fury Road/Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)
Dementus may be a threatening enemy, but he pales in comparison to Immortan Joe. The leader of the Citadel and the Cult of the V8, he uses the water supply of his fortress to control those below him. Despite the fact that he’s falling apart at the seams due to age and poor health, his followers are entirely devoted to him and see him as a god, and he’s more than willing to exploit them for his own gain. To put it simply, he’s a tyrant, hence why it’s so cathartic when Furiosa brutally takes his life at the end of Mad Max: Fury Road.
With his pale white skin and hair, piercing eyes, intricate armor, and grimacing breathing mask, Joe is tailor-made for a Fortnite skin and would be so cool to see in the Wasteland. His signature vehicle, The Gigahorse, which is comprised of two 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Villes along with a host of custom-made attachments, would be a force to be reckoned with on the road, too. The Megalo Don skin evokes some of the main design elements seen on Joe, but having the real deal would be so much better.
2. Imperator Furiosa (Mad Max: Fury Road/Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)
Since her franchise introduction in Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa has risen to become one of the most popular characters in the Mad Max franchise. As if that film doesn’t drive home just how tough-as-nails, cool, and capable she is, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga makes that point abundantly clear. She goes from an abducted child to a full-on warrior, exacting revenge on Dementus for killing her mother and attempting to forcer her into a life of servitude to Immortan Joe.
Not only does Furiosa’s overall badassery make her a perfect fit for Fortnite Chapter 5: Season 3, but so do her many looks throughout her two movie appearances. She could come with a range of different alternate attires. Long hair, short hair, face paint, no face paint, arm, no arm, the list goes on. The Tatra T815, better known as the War Rig, would be an awesome addition as well and make for solid opposition against the season’s hulking War Bus.
1. Max Rockatansky
If there could only be one Mad Max skin added to Fortnite, then there’s no denying that it should be Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson, Tom Hardy) himself. The character has anchored the franchise since its beginning in 1979, braving all the perils that the Wasteland has to offer, defeating evil in various forms, helping those in need, and coming out the other side just fine. He’s a big screen legend and has jumped to other forms of media like comics and video games, which is to say that his appearance in Fortnite would be entirely on brand.
Of course, the big question is, should the Gibson or Hardy version of the character be the one to soar from the Battle Bus? All things considered, both are viable picks. With three movies behind him, Gibson’s Max comes with a few costumes to choose from. On the other hand, what Hardy’s Max lacks in outfits he makes up for in relevance, as his interpretation is far newer and likely more recognizable to most Fortnite players. Between the two, there are several unique vehicle options, too, completing the Max ensemble.
